JP2012070835A - Portable radiation imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an X-ray imaging system which is superior in portability and for which an X-ray source and an X-ray image detector are easily positioned as well.SOLUTION: The X-ray imaging system 10 includes an X-ray generator 11, an electronic cassette 12, a holding arm 13, a PC 14, and a controller 15. The X-ray generator 11 includes an X-ray source 17, a high voltage generator 18, and an irradiation switch 19. The X-ray source 17 is attached to the distal end of the holding arm 13. A fitting part 26a is provided on the lower end part of the holding arm 13. The fitting part 26a is fitted to an opening 24a of a handle part 24 provided on a casing 12b of the electronic cassette 12, and the X-ray source 17, the holding arm 13 and the electronic cassette 12 are integrated. By the integration, the X-ray source 17 and the incidence plane 12a of the electronic cassette 12 are positioned, and the need of positioning in setup is eliminated. The X-ray imaging system can be disassembled into the X-ray source 17, the electronic cassette 12, the holding arm 13, the PC 14 and the controller 15, and is superior in portability.

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable radiation imaging system that images a subject with radiation.

  In the medical field, X-ray imaging systems using radiation, for example, X-rays, are known for performing image diagnosis. An X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray source that irradiates (exposes) an X-ray to a subject, an X-ray image detection device that receives an X-ray irradiated through the subject (patient) and detects an X-ray image. Consists of. In addition, various portable X-ray imaging systems have been proposed in order to enable X-ray imaging in home medical care performed at the home of a patient who is difficult to visit and emergency treatment at an emergency destination.

  For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is a so-called round-the-wheel vehicle in which a support arm provided on a carriage is provided with a substantially C-shaped holding arm that holds an X-ray source and an X-ray image detection device facing each other. Are known. In the round wheel, the holding arm is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the support column, and the position and orientation of the X-ray source and the X-ray image detection apparatus can be changed by moving the holding arm. By moving the holding arm, positioning is easy to adjust the relative position of the X-ray source and the X-ray image detection device in accordance with the imaging region of the subject, and imaging is performed multiple times while changing the irradiation position. It is also possible to perform panoramic photography, etc., in which a long image is obtained by connecting images obtained by photographing.

  Patent Document 2 includes an X-ray source device having a stepladder shape as a whole, which has two sets of support legs that are rotatably connected at the upper end, and an X-ray source is provided at the connecting portion of the upper end. A portable X-ray imaging system in combination with an electronic cassette which is a portable X-ray image detection apparatus is disclosed. The X-ray source device of Patent Document 2 is kept upright by opening two sets of support legs during imaging. Also, since the two support legs can be folded, it can be made compact when carried.

JP 11-299773 A JP 2010-57546 A

  Since the round-trip car of patent document 1 can be moved by a carriage, it is suitable for round trips in hospital wards, but it is disadvantageous in terms of portability for home medical care and first-aid treatment for emergency destinations.

  Although the system of Patent Document 2 is superior in portability to a round-trip vehicle, it is used in a state where the X-ray source device and the X-ray image detection device are separated, so one of the two is covered. After matching with the imaging region of the specimen, it is necessary to arrange the other position at a position opposite to one, and there is a problem that relative positioning of both is troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable radiographic imaging system that is excellent in portability and can easily align a radiation source and a radiation image detection apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a portable radiographic imaging system of the present invention includes a radiation source that irradiates a subject with radiation, and a radiation image that receives the radiation transmitted through the subject and detects a radiation image of the subject. A portable electronic cassette having a detector and a housing for housing the radiation image detector, and detachably attachable to the housing, and the radiation source is disposed opposite to the radiation incident surface of the housing And a holding arm for holding the radiation source.

  The holding arm has a displacement mechanism for displacing the radiation source with respect to the radiation incident surface in a state of being attached to the housing.

  The displacement mechanism is configured to change a distance between a horizontal position adjusting mechanism that adjusts a horizontal position by moving the radiation source in a direction parallel to the radiation incident surface, and the radiation source to the radiation incident surface. And a height adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height.

  The displacement mechanism swings the holding arm so that the holding arm swings about a base end opposite to an end holding the radiation source so that an irradiation direction of the radiation source with respect to the radiation incident surface changes. It is characterized by including a mechanism.

  It is preferable that the housing is provided with a mounting portion to which the holding arm is mounted at a predetermined position. The attachment portion is a handle provided at an end portion of the housing and having an opening into which a finger can be inserted, and the holding arm is provided at an end portion opposite to the end portion where the radiation source is provided. It is preferable to have a fitting part that is detachably fitted to the opening.

  It is preferable that the initial position of the radiation source is set so that, when the holding arm is attached to the attachment portion, the radiation source is arranged at a position facing substantially the center of the radiation incident surface. .

  It is preferable to have a mounting bracket that is detachably provided on the housing, supports the holding arm, and attaches the holding arm to the housing. The mounting bracket includes a pair of clamping plates that are sandwiched between the casings, and is separated from the end of the casing by a predetermined distance in a horizontal direction parallel to the radiation incident surface. It is preferable to support the holding arm.

  The holding arm includes a right eye irradiation position and a left eye for obtaining a pair of images of an R viewpoint image for the right eye and an L viewpoint image for the left eye that have a stereoscopically viewable parallax as the radiation source. It is preferable to have a positioning mechanism that operates at the eye irradiation position.

  It is preferable that the positioning mechanism further operates at a reference position located between the irradiation position for the right eye and the irradiation position for the left eye.

  In the portable radiographic imaging device of the present invention, a radiation image detector that receives radiation irradiated from a radiation source and transmitted through the subject, and detects a radiation image of the subject, and a housing that houses the radiation image detector A portable electronic cassette, and a holding arm that is detachably attachable to the casing and holds the radiation source so that the radiation source is disposed opposite to a radiation incident surface of the casing. It is characterized by having. The holding arm is preferably capable of detachably attaching the radiation source.

  The present invention includes a holding arm that is detachably attached to the casing of the electronic cassette and holds the radiation source so that the radiation source is disposed opposite to the incident surface of the casing. Just by attaching it to the housing, you can align the radiation source and the electronic cassette. Since the holding arm can be removed from the housing, the radiation source and the electronic cassette can be carried separately. Therefore, it is excellent in portability.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a portable X-ray imaging system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of FPD of an electronic cassette. It is a whole perspective view which shows 2nd Embodiment which attached | separated the holding arm apart from the electronic cassette. It is a whole perspective view which shows 3rd Embodiment which rocks a holding arm and image | photographs a stereoscopic image. It is the same front view.

(First embodiment)
In FIG. 1, an X-ray imaging system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a portable system suitable for use in home medical care or an emergency destination. The X-ray imaging system 10 includes an X-ray generator 11, an electronic cassette 12, a holding arm 13, a notebook personal computer (PC) 14, a control device 15, and a cable 16 that connects them. .

  Each of these X-ray generator 11, electronic cassette 12, holding arm 13, PC 14 and control device 15 can be carried separately, and can be carried at the home of a patient undergoing home diagnosis or at a site where an emergency patient is present, X-ray imaging can be performed by assembling and connecting cables at the site.

  The X-ray generator 11 includes an X-ray source 17, a high voltage generator 18 that supplies a high voltage to the X-ray source 17, and an irradiation switch 19. The X-ray source 17 includes an X-ray tube (not shown) composed of a cathode (cathode) that emits electrons, an anode (anode) that receives electrons and generates X-rays, and a radial shape from the focal point of the X-ray tube. It becomes an irradiation field limiter (collimator) that limits the irradiation field of the irradiated X-rays. The collimator has, for example, a configuration in which a plurality of lead plates that shield X-rays are arranged in a cross-beam shape, and changes the size of the central irradiation aperture through which the X-rays pass by moving the lead plates. This limits the X-ray irradiation field.

  As the X-ray tube, a fixed anode type small X-ray tube having an anode fixed as described in Japanese Patent No. 3090910 is used. The fixed anode type X-ray tube can be reduced in size as compared with the anode rotating type X-ray tube that rotates the anode, because the driving mechanism for rotating the anode is unnecessary.

  Further, as described in Japanese Patent No. 3090910, an X-ray tube using a cold cathode as a cathode is preferable. An X-ray tube using a cold cathode can be miniaturized as much as a filament or a heater is not required, compared to an X-ray tube using a hot cathode that emits thermoelectrons by heating the filament with a heater. In addition, since preheating with a filament or a heater is unnecessary, X-rays can be irradiated quickly, and it is highly convenient in an emergency situation where there is an urgent need such as during an emergency operation. As an X-ray tube using such a cold cathode, there is an ultra-small X-ray tube that uses a carbon nanotube structure as a cold cathode and can be driven by a dry cell. For example, by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Has been developed. Among X-ray tubes using a cold cathode, it is preferable to use such an ultra-small X-ray tube.

  The high voltage generator 18 is connected to the X-ray source 17 via the cable 16 and supplies a high voltage to the X-ray source 17. The high voltage generator 18 is provided with imaging conditions such as a tube voltage and a tube current that determine the energy of the irradiated X-rays, and an irradiation time from the control device 15, and the electric energy corresponding to the imaging conditions is supplied to the X-ray source 17. To supply. The high voltage generator 18 is connected to an irradiation switch 19 for inputting an instruction to start irradiation. The high voltage generator 18 receives a start signal output when the irradiation switch 19 is pressed, and receives an X-ray source based on the start signal. The supply of electrical energy to 17 is started. A start signal input from the irradiation switch 19 is transmitted from the high voltage generator 18 to the control device 15.

  When receiving the start signal from the high voltage generator 18, the control device 15 notifies the electronic cassette 12 that X-ray irradiation is started, and synchronizes the operations of the X-ray source 17 and the electronic cassette 12. Synchronous control is performed. Further, the control device 15 outputs the photographing conditions input from the PC 14 to the high voltage generator 18 and the electronic cassette 12.

  The PC 14 is installed with software for setting shooting conditions, software for performing image processing on captured image data received from the electronic cassette 12, and displaying the captured image on the display unit 14a of the PC 14. And functions as a console of the X-ray imaging system 10. In the PC 14, a selection screen for selecting an imaging menu corresponding to an imaging region such as chest imaging or abdominal imaging is displayed on the operation screen for setting imaging conditions. When a shooting menu is selected on the selection screen by operating the operation unit 14b such as a keyboard or a mouse, shooting conditions corresponding to the selection are set.

  As will be described later, the X-ray imaging system 10 can perform stereo imaging to obtain a set of images having parallax for stereoscopic viewing. When a stereo shooting mode for performing stereo shooting is selected, the PC 14 records a set of images shot while the mode is selected in association with each other. As known in the art, there are a liquid crystal shutter glasses method, a polarized glasses method, an integral imaging method (light ray reproduction method) that does not use glasses, and the like, as well known. The PC 14 displays one set of stereoscopic images recorded in association with each other on the display unit 14a by a method according to the selected method.

  The electronic cassette 12 includes an FPD 23 (see FIG. 2) that is an X-ray image detector that receives an X-ray irradiated from the X-ray source 17 and transmitted through the subject P, and X-rays are incident on one surface. And a housing 12b having a substantially flat shape that accommodates the FPD 23. The housing 12b is formed of, for example, a material that shields X-rays such as stainless steel, and is formed of a frame that has an opening formed in a portion corresponding to the incident surface 12a, and a material that transmits X-rays such as carbon. And a transmission plate that is fitted into the opening to form the incident surface 12a. The housing 12b is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape. A handle portion 24 is formed on one side of the handle portion 24 so as to be portable, and the handle portion 24 has an opening 24a into which a finger can be inserted. As will be described later, the handle portion 24 functions as an attachment portion of the holding arm 13.

  The holding arm 13 is a column that holds the X-ray source 17. The holding arm 13 disposes the X-ray source 17 so as to face the incident surface 12a with a space for disposing the subject P therebetween.

  The X-ray source 17 is detachably attached to the upper end of the holding arm 13. The holding arm 13 has an L-shaped arm main body 25, an attachment tube (attachment portion) 26 attached in the vertical direction, and an X-ray source attachment tube (X-ray source attachment portion) 27 attached in the horizontal direction. ing. A vertical portion 25a of the arm body 25 is slidably attached to the attachment cylinder 26. An X-ray source mounting cylinder 27 is slidably attached to the horizontal portion 25b of the arm body 25.

  A fitting portion 26 a is formed at the lower portion of the mounting cylinder 26. The fitting portion 26 a is configured in a shape that matches the opening shape so that the fitting portion 26 a is inserted into and fitted into the opening 24 a of the handle portion 24 of the electronic cassette 12. By this fitting, the attachment cylinder 26 is attached perpendicularly to the incident surface 12a of the housing 12b.

  A screw hole 28 is formed in the handle portion 24. The screw hole 28 penetrates to the handle opening 24a. A lock screw 29 is screwed into the screw hole 28. By screwing the lock screw 29 into the screw hole 28, the tip of the lock screw 29 is locked to the fitting portion 26a, and the mounting tube 26 is not dropped from the handle portion opening 24a. The screw hole 28 and the lock screw 29 constitute a holding arm lock device 30.

  Since the holding arm 13 is attached to the housing 12 b, the housing 12 b functions as a pedestal that supports the holding arm 13. Since the housing 12b functions as a pedestal, the configuration of the holding arm 13 can be simplified. Further, the weight distribution and shape of the holding arm 13 and the housing 12b are determined so that the holding arm 13 can stably maintain the standing posture in a state where the holding arm 13 is attached to the housing 12b. Furthermore, since the subject P is placed on the incident surface 12a at the time of imaging, the weight of the subject P also serves as a balance weight for keeping the holding arm 13 upright. Stability is also improved. In addition, since the weight of the subject P is positively used as a balance weight, the electronic cassette 12 serving as a pedestal does not need to be made heavier, and portability is improved.

  The arm body 25 and the mounting cylinder 26 are formed from square cylinders, and an adjusting mechanism 35 made of a rack and pinion (not shown) is attached to a portion where these slide. The adjustment mechanism 35 includes a pinion attached to the attachment cylinder 26, a rack attached to the arm body 25, and a dial 36 for turning the pinion. Then, by turning the dial 36, the pinion is rotated, and the arm body 25 is raised and lowered by raising and lowering the rack engaged with the pinion. Further, the dial 36 is provided with a locking mechanism (not shown), so that the arm body 25 can be stopped at an arbitrary or predetermined lift position.

  The maximum projection angle of the X-ray source 17 regulated by the irradiation aperture of the collimator (vertical angle of an isosceles triangle formed when the straight line connecting both ends of the irradiation aperture with the focal point of the X-ray tube as the apex) is the base. When the X-ray irradiation field is desired to be changed without changing the size of the irradiation aperture, the arm surface 25 is moved up and down to move the incident surface 12a and the X-ray source 17 between them. The SID (Source Image Distance), which is the distance between, is adjusted.

  The X-ray source mounting cylinder 27 is also composed of a rectangular tube, and is inserted into the horizontal portion 25b of the arm body 25 and slides. Thereby, the horizontal position of the X-ray source 17 can be adjusted.

  In addition, the holding arm 13 is configured so that it is easy to perform stereo shooting for shooting a pair of images (parallax images) of an R viewpoint image for the right eye and an L viewpoint image for the left eye that have a parallax that allows stereoscopic viewing. A click locking mechanism 37 is provided as a positioning mechanism for positioning the X-ray source 17 at the irradiation position for stereo imaging. The click locking mechanism 37 is built in the horizontal portion 25 b of the arm body 25. The click locking mechanism 37 is a mechanism that activates the click locking when the X-ray source mounting cylinder 27 reaches a predetermined position, and specifically, the same distance so as to sandwich the reference position BP and the reference position BP. The click locking is activated at the position where the X-ray source 17 reaches the three positions of the irradiation position RP for the right eye and the irradiation position LP for the left eye which are separated by only a distance. Thereby, the X-ray source 17 can be easily positioned at the time of stereo imaging. The right eye irradiation position RP and the left eye irradiation position LP are irradiation positions for obtaining an R viewpoint image and an L viewpoint image, respectively.

  The reference position BP is an initial position of the X-ray source 17 attached to the holding arm 13 and is a position serving as a reference when performing standard imaging. The reference position BP is arranged at a position where the center of the irradiation field of the X-ray source 17 coincides with the center of the incident surface 12a of the housing 12b when the holding arm 13 is attached to the handle portion 24 of the housing 12b. Is set to For this reason, when the holding arm 13 is attached to the housing 12b, the center of the irradiation field of the X-ray source 17 and the center of the incident surface 12a can be matched by aligning the X-ray source mounting cylinder 27 with the reference position BP. .

  In FIG. 2, the FPD 23 converts X-rays into electrical signals and generates image data. The FPD 23 includes an image receiving unit 40, a scanning control unit 41, a signal conversion unit 42, and an image data transmission unit 43. The image receiving unit 40 is configured by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of detection elements 45 constituting pixels on an active matrix substrate along the XY direction. The image receiving unit 40 is disposed at a position corresponding to the incident surface 12a in the housing 12b, and the center of the incident surface 12a and the center of the image receiving unit 40 are coincident with each other. The detection element 45 converts X-rays into electric charges and accumulates them. The scanning control unit 41 controls the read timing of charges from the image receiving unit 40. The signal conversion unit 42 reads out the charges accumulated in the respective detection elements 45 of the image receiving unit 40, converts them into image data, and stores them. The image data transmission unit 43 transmits the image data to the image processing unit of the PC 14. The image receiving unit 40 has, for example, a rectangular shape of about 43 cm × 43 cm, and the arrangement pitch of the detection elements 45 is about 200 μm in the XY directions.

  The scanning control unit 41 and each detection element 45 are connected by a scanning line 46 for each row of the detection elements 45, and the signal conversion unit 42 and each detection element 45 are signal lines 47 for each column of the detection elements 45. Connected by. The rows correspond to the X direction and the columns correspond to the Y direction.

  As the detection element 45, the conversion layer such as amorphous selenium (a-Se) converts X-rays directly into charges according to the incident dose, and the converted charges are stored in a capacitor connected to the lower electrode of the conversion layer. The direct conversion type is used. A TFT switch (not shown) is connected to each detection element 45, the gate electrode of the TFT switch is connected to the scanning line 46, the source electrode is connected to the capacitor, and the drain electrode is connected to the signal line 47.

  The TFT switch is turned off while the X-ray source 17 irradiates X-rays, and during that time, signal charges corresponding to the incident dose of X-rays are accumulated in the detection element 45. When the X-ray irradiation is completed, the scanning control unit 41 sequentially supplies driving pulses to the scanning lines 46 line by line. When the TFT switch is turned on by the drive pulse, the charge accumulated in the capacitor is output to the signal line 47.

  The signal converter 42 includes an integrating amplifier circuit 42a, an A / D converter 42b, and an image memory 42c. The integrating amplifier circuit 42a integrates the electric charge of each signal line 47 and converts it into a voltage signal (image signal) and inputs it to the A / D converter 42b. The A / D converter 42b converts the input image signal into digital image data and inputs the digital image data to the image memory 42c.

  In this example, a direct conversion type FPD 23 having a conversion layer for directly converting X-rays into electric charges is used, but a phosphor (scintillator) such as gadolinium oxysulfide (GOS) or cesium iodide (CsI). Alternatively, an indirect conversion type may be used in which the X-ray is once converted into visible light, and the converted visible light is converted into electric charge by a photodiode and stored.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the above configuration will be described. The X-ray imaging system 10 is stored in a state where the X-ray source 17, the holding arm 13, and the electronic cassette 12 are separated. When the X-ray imaging system 10 is used during home medical care or emergency dispatch, the X-ray source 17, the holding arm 13, and the electronic cassette 12 are carried separately. Easy to carry because each part can be carried in a compact state. In addition, the PC 14, the control device 15, and the connection cable 16 are also carried.

  In the field, the X-ray imaging system 10 is first set up as preparation for imaging. As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray source 17 is attached to the holding arm 13, the attachment cylinder 26 of the holding arm 13 is fitted into the handle opening 24 a of the electronic cassette 12, and fixed and attached by a lock screw 29. By this attachment, the X-ray source 17 and the electronic cassette 12 are integrated in a state where the incident surface 12a of the housing 12b and the X-ray source 17 are arranged to face each other. Next, the electronic cassette 12, the PC 14, the control device 15, the X-ray source 17, the high voltage generator 18, and the irradiation switch 19 are connected via the cable 16.

  When the setup of the X-ray imaging system 10 is completed, the subject P and the electronic cassette 12 are positioned. The posture of the subject P is adjusted so that the imaging part of the subject P is placed on the incident surface 12a. Since the electronic cassette 12 and the X-ray source 17 are integrated with the holding arm 13 so as to face each other, the X-ray source 17 and the electronic cassette 12 together with the position of the electronic cassette 12 and the subject P are aligned. Therefore, the electronic cassette 12 and the X-ray source 17 can be easily aligned as compared with a system used in a state where the electronic cassette and the X-ray source are separated as in the system described in Patent Document 2. .

  If the position of the X-ray source mounting cylinder 27 is adjusted to the reference position BP when the holding arm 13 is attached, the center of the irradiation field of the X-ray source 17 and the center of the incident surface 12a coincide with each other. It is easy to position the imaging part and the electronic cassette 12. This is because in the state where the subject P is placed on the incident surface 12a of the electronic cassette 12, the incident surface 12a is covered with the subject P, so it is difficult to confirm the center of the incident surface 12a. With the configuration as in this example, even if the incident surface 12a is hidden by the subject P, the approximate position of the center of the incident surface 12a can be determined depending on the position of the X-ray source 17. The imaging region is easily aligned with the center of the incident surface 12a.

  Of course, like a stationary X-ray source, an X-ray source 17 is a sighting device for irradiating illumination light such as laser light toward the subject P to visually recognize the irradiation field on the body surface of the subject P. May be provided. However, according to the configuration of this example, it is not necessary to provide such a sighting device, which is advantageous when the X-ray source 17 is downsized.

  The horizontal position of the X-ray source 17 is adjusted by sliding the X-ray source mounting cylinder 27. Further, the size of the irradiation field is changed by adjusting the irradiation opening of the collimator and by adjusting the height of the X-ray source 17 by moving the arm body 25 up and down. As described above, since the X-ray source 17 can be displaced with the holding arm 13 attached to the housing 12b, it is easy to position the imaging region.

  When positioning of the imaging region is completed, an imaging condition corresponding to the imaging region is input from the operation unit 14b of the PC 14 by the engineer. Imaging conditions are set from the PC 14 to the high voltage generator 11 b and the electronic cassette 12 via the control device 15. Thereby, the preparation for photographing is completed.

  When the preparation for imaging is completed and the irradiation switch 19 is pressed by the technician, X-rays are emitted from the X-ray source 17. X-rays that have passed through the subject P enter the incident surface 12a, and the FPD 23 detects a captured image of the subject P. The FPD 23 outputs the captured image to the PC 14, and the PC 14 performs image processing on the captured image and displays the processed captured image on the display unit 14a. Thus, one shooting is performed. When changing the imaging region, the position of the imaging region is repositioned by changing the posture of the subject P or adjusting the horizontal position of the X-ray source 17 by sliding the X-ray source mounting cylinder 27. Take a picture.

  When performing stereo shooting, the stereo shooting mode is selected from the operation unit 14b of the PC 14. After selecting the stereo imaging mode, the X-ray source mounting cylinder 27 is slid to set the X-ray source 17 at the right-eye irradiation position RP, and then the X-ray source 17 is set to the left-eye irradiation position LP. Set to, and take a picture. Since the click locking mechanism 37 operates at the right eye irradiation position RP and the left eye irradiation position LP, the X-ray source 17 can be easily positioned during stereo imaging. The electronic cassette 12 outputs an R viewpoint image and an L viewpoint image captured at each irradiation position RP, LP to the PC 14. The PC 14 records a set of R viewpoint images and L viewpoint images captured in the stereo shooting mode in association with each other, and displays each image on the display unit 14a in accordance with a stereoscopic viewing method. Thereby, a picked-up image can be observed by stereoscopic vision.

  In the first embodiment, the X-ray source 17 can be set at a predetermined position above the electronic cassette 12 by fitting the mounting cylinder 26 to the handle opening 24a of the electronic cassette 12, and imaging can be easily performed. It can be carried out. Further, the holding arm 13 having the X-ray source 17, the electronic cassette 12, and the PC 14 can be divided and carried easily. Of course, these parts may be packed in a case and transported.

  Moreover, since the holding arm 13 is attached to the electronic cassette 12 using the handle opening 24a, it is not necessary to provide a special attachment means on the electronic cassette 12 side, and the configuration is simplified. The holding arm lock device 30 may be any device as long as the mounting cylinder 26 does not fall off from the handle portion opening 24a. For example, a lock hole, a lock pin that can be freely projected and retracted in the lock hole, and a lock pin It may be configured with a haunting mechanism.

  In addition, the holding arm 13 holds the arm body 25 so as to be movable up and down, and the X-ray source mounting cylinder 27 is provided so as to be freely pulled out from the horizontal portion 25b of the arm body 25. The irradiation position can be easily changed. Thus, the height adjusting mechanism is configured by holding the arm body 25 so as to be movable up and down. Further, the horizontal position adjusting mechanism is configured by providing the X-ray source mounting cylinder 27 so that it can be pulled out from the horizontal portion 25 b of the arm body 25. These displacement mechanisms for displacing the X-ray source 17 are used for positioning the imaging region and adjusting the position of the X-ray source 17 during stereo imaging as described above. Moreover, such a displacement mechanism can be used also when using the electronic cassette 12 from which the size of the entrance plane 12a differs. If the size of the entrance surface 12a of the electronic cassette 12 is different, the irradiation field must be changed accordingly. However, if the height of the X-ray source 17 is adjusted, the SID changes to change the size of the irradiation field. can do. Further, since the holding arm 13 is attached to the end of the housing 12b of the electronic cassette 12, when the size of the incident surface 12a of the electronic cassette 12 changes, the center position of the incident surface 12a also changes. In that case, the X-ray source 17 can be handled by moving it in the horizontal direction.

  In the first embodiment, an example in which only one reference position BP is provided has been described. However, a plurality of reference positions BP corresponding to a plurality of types of electronic cassettes 12 having different sizes of the incident surface 12a may be provided. If the click locking mechanism 37 is operated at each reference position BP, positioning can be easily performed even if the size of the electronic cassette 12 changes. Moreover, although the opening 24a of the handle portion 24 has been described as a rectangular shape, the opening shape is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be various shapes. In this case, the fitting part 26a is formed according to the opening shape.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the fitting portion 26a of the mounting cylinder 26 is inserted into the handle portion opening 24a of the electronic cassette 12, and the holding arm 13 is integrated with the electronic cassette 12. Instead of this, as shown in FIG. 3, a holding arm 53 in which a mounting cylinder 51 is integrated with the mounting bracket 50 may be used. In the second embodiment, the grip portion 24 is held by two sandwich plates 54 and 55 so as to be sandwiched from above and below, and is fixed to the electronic cassette 12 by a lock screw 56 as necessary. Instead of using the lock screw 56, it may be fixed by locking it at the mounting position using a locking claw or the like.

  In the second embodiment, the attachment position of the holding arm 53 can be separated from the image receiving portion 40 of the electronic cassette 12 by forming the attachment bracket 50 long. That is, the arm portion of the holding arm 53 perpendicular to the incident surface 12a can be moved away from the incident surface 12a. Accordingly, the subject does not come into contact with the holding arm 53 as much, and the imaging posture is less restricted, the burden on the subject is reduced, and usability is improved. In other embodiments after the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  In this second embodiment, the mounting bracket 50 is attached so as to sandwich the handle portion 24 from above and below, but instead of this, the mounting bracket 50 may be attached to other sides other than the handle portion 24, The mounting bracket 50 may be attached in the same manner to an electronic cassette without the handle portion 24.

(Third embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments, the holding arms 13 and 53 have been described as an example in which the X-ray source 17 is held movably in the horizontal direction and the height direction. Instead, as shown in FIG. In addition, the irradiation angle of the X-ray source 17 may be changed by swinging the holding arm 13. As a result, X-rays can be irradiated from different directions to the same imaging region, so that a plurality of cross sections having different orientations (imaging directions) can be observed for the same imaging region. If the cross-section of the fracture of the fractured bone and the photographing direction coincide with each other, it is impossible to observe the presence or absence of the crack generated in the bone. If multiple shots are taken from different shooting directions, there is a high possibility that the images obtained by the shots contain images that are easy to observe cracks. it can.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a mounting bracket 60 is integrated with a lower end of the holding arm 58 via a mounting shaft 59, and the holding arm swings in a predetermined angle range around the mounting shaft 61. And a swing mechanism is configured. Thereby, the X-ray source 17 can be positioned at the irradiation position RP for the right eye, the reference position BP, and the irradiation position LP for the left eye.

  The mounting bracket 60 has two sandwiching plates 54 and 55 as in the second embodiment. These sandwiching plates 54 and 55 form the grip portion 24 of the electronic cassette 12 and the edge of the housing 12b from above and below. Hold it. The mounting bracket 60 is fixed to the handle portion 24 by a lock screw 56. Instead of the lock screw 56, the mounting bracket 60 may be fixed to the electronic cassette 12 by a locking mechanism.

  A pair of holding plates 63 and 64 are erected on the mounting bracket 60, and the mounting cylinder 59 is sandwiched between the holding plates 63 and 64. Further, the attachment shaft 61 is attached in the horizontal direction so as to penetrate these. A click locking mechanism or a friction locking mechanism (not shown) is disposed between the holding plates 63 and 64 and the mounting cylinder 59. These locking mechanisms stop the X-ray source 17 at the reference position BP.

  As shown in FIG. 5, rotation restriction stoppers 65 and 66 are attached to the inner surface of the attachment bracket 60. The rotation regulating stoppers 65 and 66 position the holding arm 58 at the right eye irradiation position RP and the left eye irradiation position LP. These rotation restricting stoppers 65 and 66 can be finely adjusted with respect to the irradiation positions RP and LP for each eye by providing an adjustment function capable of adjusting the position. Instead of positioning at the eye irradiation positions RP and LP by the rotation restricting stoppers 65 and 66, the right eye irradiation position RP, the reference position BP, and the left eye irradiation position are performed by the click locking mechanism. The X-ray source 17 may be stopped at each position of the LP.

  In the third embodiment, the X-ray source 17 can be easily set to each irradiation position by setting the reference position BP and each irradiation position RP, LP by the swinging movement of the holding arm 58. Further, when the irradiation center of the X-ray source 17 is positioned at the center of the image receiving unit 40 of the electronic cassette 12 at the reference position BP, the swinging center of the holding arm 58 is close to the image receiving unit 40. However, the irradiation center of the X-ray source 17 is positioned substantially at the center of the image receiving unit 40, and adjustment of the swing angle of the X-ray source 17 is not necessary. If it is desired to always match the irradiation center of the X-ray source 17 with the center of the incident surface 12a regardless of the change in the swing angle of the holding arm 58, the swing center of the holding arm 58 (the center of the mounting shaft 61). ) May be positioned on a horizontal plane including the incident surface 12a.

  In the third embodiment, the holding arm 58 is swung in a plane orthogonal to the incident surface 12a. However, the arm main body may be swung in a plane parallel to the incident surface 12, and in this case as well. The X-ray source 17 can be set at the reference position BP and the irradiation positions RP and LP.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the positioning mechanism operates during stereo shooting has been described, but the positioning mechanism may not be provided. In addition, the holding arm has been described as an example provided with a displacement mechanism that moves the X-ray source in the horizontal direction and the height direction, but the X-ray source may be attached to a fixed position without providing the displacement mechanism. . However, as described above, since the positioning mechanism and the displacement mechanism have various advantages, it is preferable to provide them. Further, as the displacement mechanism, a swing mechanism that rotates the X-ray source 17 around the focal point of the X-ray tube may be provided. Also, the displacement mechanism for moving the X-ray source in the horizontal direction and the height direction as in the first and second embodiments and the displacement mechanism for moving the X-ray source by rocking as in the third embodiment are combined. Thus, the X-ray source may have a structure capable of moving and swinging in the horizontal direction and the height direction.

  In each of the above embodiments, the X-ray source 17 is detachably attached to the holding arms 13, 53, 58, but may be fixedly attached. However, when the X-ray source 17 is detachably attached to the holding arms 13, 53, and 58, the optimum X-ray source can be selected and attached according to the situation of the site to be carried and the imaging region. It is possible to easily cope with various shooting modes. An existing X-ray source may be used. In this case, as a product, the X-ray source may be omitted, and the product may be provided in a combination of a holding arm having a mounting portion for detachably mounting the X-ray source and an electronic cassette.

  In the above-described embodiment, the L-shaped arm main body is provided and the whole is configured in an L-shape. However, any shape that can hold the X-ray source may be used. Good. Further, the number of mounting cylinders is not limited to one, and a plurality of mounting cylinders may be provided. Also in this case, each mounting cylinder is detachably attached to the electronic cassette. Moreover, it is not limited to the mounting cylinder, and any structure that can hold the X-ray source 17 may be used, and various holding forms can be taken.

  In the above embodiment, X-rays have been described as an example of radiation. However, the present invention may use radiation other than X-rays, such as γ-rays.

  As described above, the portable radiographic imaging system 10 of the present invention includes a radiation source (X-ray source 17) that irradiates the subject P with radiation and the radiation of the subject that receives the radiation that has passed through the subject P. A radiographic image detector (FPd23) for detecting an image, a portable electronic cassette 12 having a housing 12b for housing the radiation image detector, and a housing 12b that can be detachably attached to the housing 12b. Since the holding arms 13, 53 and 58 for holding the radiation source are provided so that the radiation source is disposed opposite to the radiation incident surface 12a, the relative alignment between the radiation source and the detection device is achieved. In addition, since the holding arms 13, 53, 58 can be removed, the portability is improved. Further, since the holding arms 13, 53, 58 can be attached to the housing 12b of the electronic cassette 12, if the holding arms 13, 53, 58 are attached with the housing 12b placed on a substantially horizontal plane, the housing 12b. Can function as a pedestal for the holding arms 13, 53, and 58. Therefore, the structure of the holding arms 13, 53, 58 can be simplified. Specifically, since the holding arms 13, 53, and 58 hold a relatively heavy radiation source, the holding arms 13, 53, and 58 tend to be robust, but the holding arms 13, 53, and 58 are kept upright. By assigning the function of the pedestal to the housing 12b, the configuration of the holding arms 13, 53, 58 is simplified. In addition, since the subject P is placed on the entrance surface 12a of the housing 12b and overlaps, the holding arms 13, 53, and 58 do not fluctuate.

  The holding arms 13, 53, and 58 have a displacement mechanism that displaces the radiation source with respect to the incident surface in a state of being attached to the housing, thereby changing the position of the radiation source and the irradiation position and direction. Various shootings are possible. The “displacement” includes not only the movement in the height direction and the lateral direction as in the first and second embodiments, but also the case of “swinging” as in the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the displacement mechanism includes a horizontal position adjusting mechanism that adjusts a horizontal position by moving the radiation source in a direction parallel to the incident surface, and the radiation source is moved to the incident surface. By including a height adjusting mechanism that adjusts the height so that the interval changes, the horizontal position and the height can be adjusted, and the displacement can be reliably performed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the displacement mechanism has a holding arm centered on the base end opposite to the end holding the radiation source so that the irradiation direction with respect to the incident surface of the radiation source changes. By including a swing mechanism for swinging 58, the radiation source can be reliably displaced with a simple structure.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 12b is provided with a mounting portion to which the holding arm 13 is mounted at a predetermined position, so that a dedicated mounting portion is not required and the configuration is simplified. The attachment portion is provided at the end of the housing, and is a handle 24 having an opening 24a into which a finger can be inserted. The holding arm 13 is provided at the end opposite to the end where the radiation source is provided. By having the fitting part 26a detachably fitted into the opening, the handle 24 functions as an attachment part.

  The holding arms 13, 53, and 58 are displaced by setting the initial position of the radiation source so that the radiation source is disposed at a position substantially opposite to the center of the incident surface when attached to the attachment portion. If the free radiation source is adjusted to the initial position, the radiation source is aligned with the center of the incident surface, so that the position adjustment becomes easy.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the incident surface 12a and the holding arm are detachably provided on the housing 12b, support the holding arm 53, and have a mounting bracket 50 for attaching the holding arm 53 to the housing 12b. An appropriate interval can be provided between the holding arms 53, and the holding arm 53 is less likely to interfere with the movement of the subject P taking various postures on the incident surface 12a according to the imaging region. The mounting bracket 50 has a pair of sandwiching plates 54 and 55 that sandwich the housing 12b, and is located at a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction parallel to the incident surface 12a from the end of the housing 12b. By supporting the holding arm 53, it is possible to attach it to an arbitrary position at the end of the housing 12b.

  The holding arms 13, 53, and 58 are positioned to operate the radiation source at the irradiation position for the right eye and the irradiation position for the left eye to obtain a pair of images of the R viewpoint image and the L viewpoint image that can be stereoscopically viewed. By having the mechanism, it is easy to perform stereo imaging, and the radiographic image can be easily stereoscopically viewed.

  The positioning mechanism operates at a reference position that is intermediate between the irradiation position for the right eye and the irradiation position for the left eye, so that it can be positioned at the reference position when performing stereo imaging. It becomes easier to align relative positions.

  A radiographic image detector (FPD23) for receiving a radiation irradiated from a radiation source and transmitted through the subject and detecting a radiographic image of the subject; and a portable electronic cassette 12 having a housing 12b for housing the radiation image detector; And holding arms 13, 53, 58 that can be detachably attached to the housing 12 b and hold the radiation source so that the radiation source faces the incident surface 12 a of the housing. The radiation source can be used, and the degree of freedom of the system can be increased. In addition, the holding arms 13, 53, 58 can attach and detachably attach a radiation source, so that a plurality of existing radiation sources can be selectively used. It can be used in combination with a cassette.

10 X-ray imaging system 11 X-ray generator 12 Electronic cassette (X-ray detector)
13 Holding arm 14 PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Arm main body 21 Mounting cylinder 21a Fitting part 22 X-ray source holding cylinder 24 Handle part 24a Handle part opening 28 Lock screw 30 Holding arm locking device 35 Adjustment mechanism 50 Mounting bracket 51 Mounting cylinder 54, 55 Holding plate 58 Holding arm 59 Mounting Tube 60 Mounting bracket 61 Mounting shaft 63, 64 Retaining plate

Claims (12)

A radiation source for irradiating the subject with radiation;
A radiographic image detector that receives radiation transmitted through the subject and detects a radiographic image of the subject, and a portable electronic cassette having a housing that houses the radiographic image detector;
A holding arm that is detachably attachable to the casing and holds the radiation source so that the radiation source is disposed opposite to a radiation incident surface of the casing. Portable radiography system.   The portable radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding arm has a displacement mechanism that displaces the radiation source with respect to the radiation incident surface in a state of being attached to the housing. system.   The displacement mechanism is configured to change a distance between a horizontal position adjusting mechanism that adjusts a horizontal position by moving the radiation source in a direction parallel to the radiation incident surface, and the radiation source to the radiation incident surface. The portable radiographic system according to claim 2, further comprising a height adjusting mechanism that adjusts the height.   The displacement mechanism swings the holding arm so that the holding arm swings about a base end opposite to an end holding the radiation source so that an irradiation direction of the radiation source with respect to the radiation incident surface changes. 4. The portable radiographic system according to claim 2, further comprising a mechanism.   The portable radiographic system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing is provided with a mounting portion to which the holding arm is mounted at a predetermined position. The attachment portion is a handle provided at an end portion of the housing and having an opening into which a finger can be inserted.
The said holding | maintenance arm has a fitting part detachably fitted to the said opening of the said handle in the edge part on the opposite side to the edge part in which the said radiation source is provided. Portable radiography system.   When the holding arm is attached to the attachment portion, an initial position of the radiation source is set so that the radiation source is disposed at a position facing substantially the center of the radiation incident surface. The portable radiographic imaging system according to claim 5 or 6.   5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting bracket that is detachably provided on the housing, supports the holding arm, and attaches the holding arm to the housing. 6. Portable radiography system.   The mounting bracket has a pair of clamping plates that are sandwiched between the housings, and the holding arms are spaced apart from the ends of the housings by a predetermined distance in a horizontal direction parallel to the radiation incident surface. The portable radiographic system according to claim 8, wherein the portable radiographic system is supported.   The portable radiation imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the holding arm is detachably attachable to the radiation source. A radiation image detector that receives radiation transmitted from the radiation source and transmitted through the subject, and detects a radiation image of the subject; and a portable electronic cassette having a housing that houses the radiation image detector;
A holding arm that is detachably attachable to the casing and holds the radiation source so that the radiation source is disposed opposite to a radiation incident surface of the casing. Portable radiography device.   The portable radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the holding arm is detachably attachable to the radiation source.

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