JP2012100843A - Radiation imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiation imaging system capable of performing control toward radiography by automatically and accurately specifying the position of an FPD cassette in a radiographic chamber even if an operator does not operate a console.SOLUTION: The radiation imaging system 50 includes, inside the radiographic chamber Ra: the FPD cassette 1 with a radio communication means; a radiation source 52; a plurality of radiographic devices 51A, 51B, 52P; and respective access points 53 corresponding to the respective radiographic devices, and includes the console outside the radiographic chamber Ra. The console compares each signal intensity SI when the respective access points 53 receive signals from the FPD cassette 1, with a threshold SIth, and when the access point 53 receiving the signal at the signal intensity SI equal to or more than the threshold SIth exists, the console allows a radiation generator 57 to start the radiation source 52 so that radiation imaging is performed using the radiographic device corresponding to that access point 53.

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic imaging system.

  For the purpose of disease diagnosis and the like, radiographic images taken using radiation typified by X-ray images are widely used. Conventionally, such medical radiographic images have been taken using a screen film. In order to digitize radiographic images, CR (Computed Radiography) devices using stimulable phosphor sheets have been developed recently. Then, a radiation image capturing apparatus has been developed in which irradiated radiation is detected by a radiation detection element arranged in a two-dimensional form and acquired as digital image data.

  This type of radiographic image capturing apparatus is known as an FPD (Flat Panel Detector), and is conventionally formed as a so-called dedicated type radiographic image capturing apparatus formed integrally with a support base (for example, Patent Documents). 1). However, in recent years, a portable radiographic image capturing apparatus in which a radiation detection element or the like is accommodated in a housing has been developed and put into practical use (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3).

  In addition, in such portable radiographic imaging apparatuses, radiographic imaging apparatuses that transmit and receive signals and data by exchanging radio waves via wireless communication means that incorporate a battery and have an antenna or the like have been developed. (For example, refer patent document 4 etc.). Hereinafter, the portable radiographic imaging device is referred to as an FPD cassette.

  In addition, as the FPD cassette, a so-called direct type FPD cassette that generates electric charges by a detection element in accordance with the dose of radiation such as irradiated X-rays and converts it into an electric signal, or the irradiated radiation is visible with a scintillator or the like. There are various so-called indirect type FPD cassettes that convert to electromagnetic signals by generating electric charges in photoelectric conversion elements such as photodiodes after being converted to electromagnetic waves of other wavelengths such as light and then converted according to the energy of the irradiated electromagnetic waves Has been developed.

  In the present invention, a detection element in a direct type FPD cassette and a photoelectric conversion element in an indirect type FPD cassette are collectively referred to as a radiation detection element.

  By the way, a radiographing room in which radiographic images are taken is usually shielded with lead or the like so that radiation does not leak outside the radiographing room, and radio waves transmitted inside the radiographic room are also shielded so that it is difficult to propagate outside the radiographing room. In some cases, an access point for relaying communication between the FPD cassette in the photographing room and an external device such as a console outside the photographing room may be provided in the photographing room.

  For example, in Patent Document 5 (see FIG. 8 of the same document), by utilizing the fact that access points are provided at a plurality of positions in the photographing room, for example, an FPD cassette is opened from the console via each access point. A radiographic imaging system capable of recognizing the position of the FPD cassette in the radiographing room by identifying the access point that has received the radio wave from the FPD cassette that responded by performing a general call The invention is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 3639750 JP 2006-058124 A JP-A-6-342099 JP-A-7-140255 JP 2010-057707 A

  By the way, if the invention described in Patent Document 5 is applied, for example, the console determines which bucky device the FPD cassette is loaded on the basis of the recognized position of the FPD cassette in the photographing room. Thus, it is possible to perform control such as activating a radiation source corresponding to the Bucky device so that the Bucky device can be irradiated with radiation.

  However, in such a configuration, it is necessary for a radiographer or other radiographer to go to a console outside the radiographing room and operate the console to make a general call or the like. There is a risk that it will not be easy to use.

  Further, in Patent Document 5, when there are a plurality of access points in the photographing room, since the radio wave transmitted from the FPD cassette is received by any access point, the access point that has received the radio wave can be specified. In fact, when radio waves are transmitted from the FPD cassette in the shooting room, radio waves are usually received by all access points, or radio waves are received by a plurality of access points. Therefore, it is often difficult to specify an access point only by receiving radio waves.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and automatically identifies the position of the FPD cassette in the photographing room accurately without taking the console by the photographer. An object of the present invention is to provide a radiographic imaging system capable of performing the above control.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of FPD cassettes in the radiographing room, the radiographer intentionally leaves the radiographing room to determine which FPD cassette the radiographer or other radiographer uses for radiographic imaging. Even if the console is not operated, the radiographic imaging system is more convenient for the radiographer if the console itself is configured so that it can be accurately recognized and specified.

  Therefore, the present invention provides radiographic imaging capable of automatically specifying an FPD cassette used for imaging and performing control for imaging even when there are a plurality of FPD cassettes in the imaging room. The purpose is to provide a system.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the radiographic imaging system of the present invention includes:
In the shooting room,
A plurality of radiation detection elements arranged in a two-dimensional manner, reading out the charges generated in each radiation detection element by irradiation of radiation as image data, and an FPD cassette provided with wireless communication means,
A radiation source of a radiation generator for irradiating the FPD cassette with radiation;
A plurality of imaging devices for performing radiographic imaging using the FPD cassette;
Each access point associated with each of the plurality of imaging devices and provided in the imaging device or in the vicinity thereof,
With
Outside the shooting room,
A console capable of receiving signals from the FPD cassette via the access points;
The console compares the signal strength when each of the access points receives a signal from the FPD cassette with a preset threshold value, and receives the signal at a signal strength equal to or higher than the threshold value. The radiation generation apparatus is activated so that radiographic imaging is performed using the imaging apparatus associated with the access point.

  According to the radiographic imaging system of the system as in the present invention, even if a radiographer or other radiographer goes out of the radiographing room and goes to the console and does not operate the console, the console is in each access point. It is possible to accurately specify the position of the FPD cassette in the imaging room automatically based on the signal intensity, and activate the appropriate radiation source on the basis of this to accurately control the imaging. It becomes possible.

  Also, since the photographer simply carries the FPD cassette in the photographing room, the radiation source used for photographing automatically enters the standby state, so that the photographer has to leave the photographing room and prepare for the photographing. The radiographic image capturing system is very convenient for the photographer.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on each embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view of a FPD cassette. It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the FPD cassette of FIG. 2 from the opposite side. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line in FIG. It is a top view which shows the structure of the board | substrate of FPD cassette. It is an enlarged view which shows the structure of the radiation detection element, TFT, etc. which were formed in the small area | region on the board | substrate of FIG. It is a side view explaining the board | substrate with which a flexible circuit board, a PCB board | substrate, etc. were attached. It is a block diagram showing the equivalent circuit of a FPD cassette. It is a figure explaining the Bucky apparatus provided with the connector inside the cassette holding | maintenance part. It is an external appearance perspective view showing the state to which the connector of FPD cassette and the connector of the Bucky device were connected. It is sectional drawing showing the state in which the FPD cassette was inserted in the cradle and the connectors were connected. It is a figure which shows a structure provided with a tag reader as a detection means.

  Embodiments of a radiation image capturing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following illustrated examples.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a radiographic imaging system common to the present embodiment.

  The imaging room Ra is a room in which radiation images are taken by irradiating a subject that is a part of the patient's body (that is, the imaging region of the patient), and the radiation of the radiation generator 57 for irradiating the subject with radiation. A source 52 and the like are arranged. Note that the imaging room Ra is shielded with lead or the like so that radiation does not leak outside the imaging room.

  In the present embodiment, an FPD cassette 1 as described below is used as a radiographic image capturing device, and a bucky device 51 on which the FPD cassette 1 can be loaded is provided in the imaging room Ra. . The bucky device 51 and the radiation source 52 will be described later.

  First, the FPD cassette 1 used for radiographic imaging in the radiographic imaging system 50 will be described.

  Hereinafter, as the FPD cassette 1, a so-called indirect type FPD cassette that includes a scintillator or the like and converts emitted radiation into electromagnetic waves of other wavelengths such as visible light to obtain an electric signal will be described. Can also be applied to a so-called direct FPD cassette that directly detects radiation with a radiation detection element without using a scintillator or the like.

  2 is an external perspective view of the FPD cassette, and FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the FPD cassette as viewed from the opposite side. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, in the FPD cassette 1, a sensor panel SP composed of a scintillator 3, a substrate 4, and the like is housed in a housing 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the hollow rectangular tube-shaped housing main body 2A having the radiation incident surface R in the housing 2 of the FPD cassette 1 is made of a material such as a carbon plate or plastic that transmits radiation. The housing 2 is formed by closing openings on both sides of the housing main body 2A with lid members 2B and 2C.

  Instead of forming the casing 2 as such a so-called monocoque type, for example, a so-called lunch box type formed of a frame plate and a back plate can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lid member 2B on one side of the housing 2 is composed of a power switch 37, a selection switch 38, a connector 39, an LED for displaying a battery state, an operating state of the FPD cassette 1, and the like. An indicator 40 and the like are arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an antenna device 41 that is a wireless communication unit for wirelessly transferring image data D and the like to the console 58 is embedded in the lid member 2 </ b> C on the opposite side of the housing 2. In the case where the antenna device 41 is provided, the location of the antenna device 41 on the housing 2 and the number of antenna devices 41 to be arranged are appropriately determined.

  In the present embodiment, the antenna device 41 is configured to perform wireless communication of various types of information with the console 58 via an access point 53 described later by a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard. Has been. In the present embodiment, the antenna device 41 always transmits a signal representing a cassette ID, which is identification information of the FPD cassette 1, with a weak radio wave. I will explain it.

  Further, as will be described later, the FPD cassette 1 is configured to transmit image data D and the like by high-power radio waves from the antenna device 41 after the photographing is completed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a base 31 is disposed inside the housing 2 via a lead thin plate (not shown) on the lower side of the substrate 4 of the sensor panel SP. A PCB substrate 33, a buffer member 34, and the like on which are disposed are mounted.

  A glass substrate 35 for protecting the substrate 4 and the scintillator 3 on the radiation incident surface R side is disposed. In addition, a cushioning material 36 is provided between the sensor panel SP and the side surface of the housing 2 to prevent them from colliding with each other.

  The scintillator 3 is attached to a detection unit P, which will be described later, of the substrate 4. As the scintillator 3, for example, a scintillator 3 that has a phosphor as a main component and converts it into an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength of 300 to 800 nm, that is, an electromagnetic wave centered on visible light when it receives incident radiation, is used.

  The substrate 4 is made of a glass substrate. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of scanning lines 5 and a plurality of signal lines 6 cross each other on the surface 4a of the substrate 4 facing the scintillator 3. It is arranged to do. In each small region r defined by the plurality of scanning lines 5 and the plurality of signal lines 6 on the surface 4 a of the substrate 4, radiation detection elements 7 are respectively provided.

  In this way, the entire region r in which a plurality of radiation detection elements 7 arranged in a two-dimensional manner (also referred to as a matrix) is provided in each small region r partitioned by the scanning lines 5 and the signal lines 6, that is, FIG. A region indicated by an alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

  Although a photodiode is used as the radiation detection element 7, for example, a phototransistor or the like can also be used. As shown in FIG. 6 which is an enlarged view of FIG. 5, each radiation detection element 7 is connected to a source electrode 8s of a TFT 8 which is a switch means. The drain electrode 8 d of the TFT 8 is connected to the signal line 6.

  The TFT 8 is turned on when a turn-on voltage is applied to the gate electrode 8g via the scanning line 5 from the scanning driving means 15 described later, and is accumulated in the radiation detection element 7 via the source electrode 8s and the drain electrode 8d. The charged electric charge is discharged to the signal line 6. The TFT 8 is turned off when an off voltage is applied to the gate electrode 8g via the connected scanning line 5, and the emission of the charge from the radiation detecting element 7 to the signal line 6 is stopped, and the radiation detecting element The electric charge is held in 7.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the bias lines 9 are respectively connected to the plurality of radiation detection elements 7 arranged in a row. As shown in FIG. 5, each bias line 9 is connected to the detection unit P of the substrate 4. It is bound to one connection 10 at the outer position.

  In addition, each scanning line 5, each signal line 6, and connection line 10 of the bias line 9 are connected to input / output terminals (also referred to as pads) 11 provided near the edge of the substrate 4. As shown in FIG. 7, each input / output terminal 11 includes a flexible circuit board (also referred to as a chip on film) 12 in which a chip such as an IC 12a is incorporated on a film, an anisotropic conductive adhesive film (Anisotropic Conductive Film). And an anisotropic conductive adhesive material 13 such as anisotropic conductive paste (Anisotropic Conductive Paste).

  The flexible circuit board 12 is routed to the back surface 4b side of the substrate 4 and connected to the PCB substrate 33 described above on the back surface 4b side. In this way, the substrate 4 portion of the sensor panel SP of the FPD cassette 1 is formed. In FIG. 7, illustration of the electronic component 32 and the like is omitted.

  Here, the circuit configuration of the FPD cassette 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  A bias line 9 is connected to one electrode of each radiation detection element 7, and each bias line 9 is bound to a connection 10 and connected to a bias power supply 14. The bias power source 14 applies a bias voltage (strictly speaking, a reverse bias voltage) to the electrode of each radiation detection element 7 via the connection 10 and each bias line 9.

  The other electrode of each radiation detection element 7 is connected to the source electrode 8s (denoted as S in FIG. 8) of the TFT 8, and the gate electrode 8g (denoted as G in FIG. 8) of each TFT 8. Are connected to the lines L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 extending from the gate driver 15b of the scanning driving means 15, respectively. Further, the drain electrode 8d (denoted as D in FIG. 8) of each TFT 8 is connected to each signal line 6.

  The scanning drive unit 15 includes a power supply circuit 15a that supplies an on voltage and an off voltage to the gate driver 15b, and a gate driver 15b that switches a voltage applied to each of the lines L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 between the on voltage and the off voltage. It has. As described above, the gate driver 15b switches the voltage applied to the gate electrode 8g of the TFT 8 via the lines L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 between the on-voltage and the off-voltage, It is designed to control the off state.

  Each signal line 6 is connected to each readout circuit 17 formed in the readout IC 16. The readout circuit 17 includes an amplifier circuit 18, a correlated double sampling circuit 19, an analog multiplexer 21, and an A / D converter 20.

  For example, when radiation is applied to the FPD cassette 1 through a subject during radiographic imaging, the scintillator 3 converts the radiation into electromagnetic waves of other wavelengths, and the converted electromagnetic waves are directly below the radiation detection element 7. Is irradiated. Then, charges are generated in the radiation detection element 7 in accordance with the dose of irradiated radiation (that is, the amount of electromagnetic wave).

  In the reading process of the image data D from each radiation detection element 7, when an ON voltage is applied to a predetermined line Ln of the scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15 b of the scanning driving unit 15, the line Ln of the scanning line 5 is A turn-on voltage is applied to the gate electrode 8g of each TFT 8 connected to the TFT 8 so that each TFT 8 is turned on, and a signal is transmitted from the radiation detection element 7 connected to each turned-on TFT 8 through each TFT 8. Charge is released to the line 6.

  Then, a voltage value is output from the amplifier circuit 18 in accordance with the amount of charge emitted from the radiation detection element 7, and is correlated double-sampled by the correlated double sampling circuit 19, and the analog value image data D is sent to the multiplexer 21. Is output. The image data D sequentially output from the multiplexer 21 is sequentially converted to digital image data D by the A / D converter 20, output to the storage means 23 and sequentially stored.

  The control means 22 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), a computer having an input / output interface connected to the bus, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and the like. ing. It may be configured by a dedicated control circuit.

  The control unit 22 controls the operation of each functional unit such as the scan driving unit 15 and the readout circuit 17 of the FPD cassette 1. The control means 22 is connected to a storage means 23 constituted by a DRAM (Dynamic RAM) or the like, and a battery 24 for supplying power to each functional part of the FPD cassette 1. Further, the antenna device 41 and the connector 39 (not shown in FIG. 8) are connected to the control means 22.

  The control unit 22 controls the scanning drive unit 15 and the readout circuit 17 to read out the image data D from each radiation detection element 7 and each radiation detection for removing the charge remaining in each radiation detection element 7. Various functions are provided for each functional unit of the FPD cassette 1 such as resetting the element 7 or setting and varying the bias voltage applied to each radiation detection element 7 from the bias power supply 14 by controlling the bias power supply 14. It comes to perform control.

  Further, when the control unit 22 performs the reading process of the image data D and the like from each radiation detection element 7 as described above, the control unit 22 transmits the read image data D and the like to the console 58 described later.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, when the FPD cassette 1 is brought into the photographing room Ra, it is inserted into a cradle 55 described later. At that time, when the connector 39 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the connector 55a (see FIG. 12 described later) of the cradle 55 when the FPD cassette 1 is inserted into the cradle 55, the control means 22 A cassette ID, which is identification information of the FPD cassette 1, is notified to the console 58 via a connected repeater 54 (see FIG. 1).

  In this embodiment, when a cassette ID is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1 inserted in the cradle 55, identification information of each access point 53 (described later) provided in the photographing room Ra is transmitted from the console 58. Therefore, the control means 22 stores and registers such identification information.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, a wireless LAN compliant with the IEEE802.11 standard is adopted as the wireless communication means (that is, the antenna device 41), so that each access point 53 is identified as identification information of the access point 53. Although SSID (Service Set IDntifier) is used, when wireless communication is performed in another form, identification information of the access point 53 in a form suitable for the form is used.

  Further, as described above, instead of inserting the FPD cassette 1 into the cradle 55 and acquiring the SSID of each access point 53, for example, a radiographer or other photographer places the FPD cassette 1 in the imaging room Ra. The FPD cassette 1 is operated to perform polling (that is, a signal is transmitted without attaching the SSID), and each access point 53 transmits the SSID to the FPD cassette 1 and obtains it. It is also possible to configure so as to.

  In this embodiment, when the selection switch 38 (see FIG. 2) as a selection unit is pressed by a radiographer or the like, the control unit 22 selects the cassette ID as its identification information and itself. A selection signal indicating this is transmitted to the console 58 via the antenna device 41.

  Further, when the power switch 37 is pressed by a radiographer or other radiographer to turn on the power, the control means 22 sends a cassette ID that is its own identification information and an activation signal indicating that it has been activated to the antenna. The data is transmitted to the console 58 via the device 41.

  In addition, when the power switch 37 is pressed by a radiographer or other photographer to turn off the power, the control means 22 sets the cassette ID, which is its own identification information, before turning off the power of the FPD cassette 1. A stop signal indicating that the device itself is turned off is transmitted to the console 58 via the antenna device 41.

  Then, when power is supplied to each function unit when radiographic imaging, image data D reading processing, or the like is not performed, the battery 24 is consumed. Therefore, as described above, the control unit 22 includes each function unit. The power is supplied only to the necessary functional units including the antenna device 41 in order to suppress the power consumption and the radiographable mode in which radiographic imaging can be performed by supplying electric power to the radiographing mode. Thus, the power supply mode for each functional unit can be switched between the sleep mode in which the supply of power to at least the radiation detection element is stopped and the radiographic image cannot be captured.

  In the present embodiment, in the sleep mode, power is supplied only to functional units that need to be minimally activated such as the antenna device 41 and the control unit 22 so that signals from the console 58 and the like can be received, and the bias power source 14, the scanning drive unit 15, the readout circuit 17 (readout IC 16) and the like are not supplied with power.

  When the power switch 37 (see FIG. 2) is pressed, whether to start up the FPD cassette 1 in the photographing mode or the sleep mode is appropriately set. When is pressed, if the FPD cassette 1 is in the sleep mode, the power supply mode is switched to the photographing enable mode.

  In addition, the control unit 22 automatically switches the power supply mode when the predetermined time elapses when the radiographic image is not captured even after the predetermined time elapses after the power supply mode is switched to the imaging enable mode. Switch to sleep mode.

  Then, when the power supply mode is switched, the control unit 22 transmits a signal indicating that the photographing mode has been set or a signal indicating that the sleep mode has been entered to the console 38 together with its own cassette ID. It is like that.

  As will be described later, the FPD cassette 1 has a size compatible with the CR cassette, and can be used by being installed in a later-described Bucky device 51 in the facility.

  Further, when the FPD cassette 1 is loaded in the bucky device 51, the battery 24 (see FIG. 8) is supplied with power from the bucky device 51 but in a single state not loaded in the bucky device 51. The power is supplied from the control unit 22, the bias power source 14, the scanning drive unit 15, and the reading unit 17 (readout IC 16).

  Further, as will be described later, when the FPD cassette 1 is loaded in the bucky device 51, the FPD cassette 1 is supplied with electric power from the bucky device 51, but in a single state not loaded in the bucky device 51, the battery 24 (See FIG. 8), power is supplied to each functional unit such as the control unit 22, the bias power supply 14, the scanning drive unit 15, and the readout circuit 17 (readout IC 16).

  Next, other devices in the radiographic image capturing system 50 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bucky device 51 can be used by loading the FPD cassette 1 into a cassette holding portion (also referred to as a cassette holder) 51a.

  In FIG. 1, a case is shown in which, in the photographing room Ra, a bucky device 51 </ b> A for standing position shooting and a bucky device 51 </ b> B for standing position shooting are installed as the bucky device 51. The present invention is also applied to a case where only the bucky device 51A for the camera or only the bucky device 51B for the position photographing is provided.

  The bucky device 51 is configured to be used by loading a conventional CR cassette into the cassette holding unit 51a, and an existing bucky device installed for the CR cassette in the photographing room Ra is used.

  Therefore, the FPD cassette 1 is formed to have the same dimensions as the CR cassette. That is, the CR cassette is formed in a size such as 14 inches × 17 inches (half-cut size) in accordance with the JIS standard size (corresponding international standard is IEC 60406) for conventional screen film cassettes. Further, the thickness in the radiation incident direction is formed to be within a range of 15 mm + 1 mm to 15 mm-2 mm.

  In order to enable the use of the JIS standard size CR cassette in the Bucky device 51, the FPD cassette 1 also has dimensions conforming to the JIS standard in the cassette for screen films to which the CR cassette conforms. It is formed with.

  In the case where an existing bucky device for a screen / film cassette or a CR cassette is not used, it is not necessary to form the FPD cassette 1 with the above dimensions, and the FPD cassette 1 can be formed in any size or shape. Is possible. However, in that case, it is necessary to newly install a bucky device capable of loading the FPD cassette 1 having an arbitrarily set shape as the bucky device 51 in the photographing room Ra.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, before loading the FPD cassette 1 into the bucky device 51, the connector 51b provided at the tip of the cable extending from the bucky device 51 is connected to the connector 39 of the FPD cassette 1, In this state, the FPD cassette 1 is loaded into the cassette holding part 51a of the bucky device 51.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a connector 51 b connected to the connector 39 (see FIG. 2) of the loaded FPD cassette 1 may be provided inside the cassette holding portion 51 a of the bucky device 51. Is possible. In this case, the connector 51b is similarly provided not only in the case of the standing-up shooting bucky device 51A shown in FIG. 10, but also in the standing-up shooting bucky device 51B.

  By connecting the connector 51 b of the bucky device 51 and the connector 39 of the FPD cassette 1, power is supplied from the bucky device 51 to the FPD cassette 1. Therefore, when the connectors 39 and 51b are connected to each other, the control means 22 of the FPD cassette 1 stops the supply of power from the battery 24 (see FIG. 8) to each functional unit, and the bucky device via the connector 39 The power supplied from 51 is switched to be supplied to each functional unit.

  It is also possible to charge the battery 24 at the same time while supplying power to each functional unit. Further, it is not always necessary to provide the above-described power supply function to the bucky device 51, and it may be configured only by the function of holding the FPD cassette 1 and the CR cassette at a predetermined position as in the past.

  As shown in FIG. 1, at least one radiation source 52 for irradiating the subject with radiation is provided in the imaging room Ra.

  Of the radiation sources 52, one radiation source 52A is arranged suspended from the ceiling of the imaging room Ra, for example, and is activated based on an instruction from the console 58 at the time of imaging, not shown. The moving means is moved to a predetermined position. Then, by changing the irradiation direction of the radiation, the FPD cassette 1 loaded in the bucky device 51A for standing position shooting or the bucky device 51B for standing position shooting can be irradiated with radiation. .

  In the present embodiment, the radiographing room Ra is also provided with a portable radiation source 52P that is not associated with the standing-up radiographing or the supine radiographing bucky devices 51A and 51B. The portable radiation source 52P can be carried anywhere in the photographing room Ra, and can irradiate radiation in an arbitrary direction.

  Then, the FPD cassette 1 is applied to a patient's body part as a subject in a single state (ie, not loaded in the bucky device 51), or a table or a bed (not shown) of the bucky device 51B for lying position photography. In such a state, the radiation can be emitted from the portable radiation source 52P at an appropriate distance and direction.

  In addition, the FPD cassette 1 can be used for radiographic imaging in a single state that is not loaded in the bucky device 51 as described above.

  The radiation source 52 includes an X-ray tube, and when the X-ray tube is supplied with a predetermined tube voltage or tube current from a radiation generator 57 described later, the X-ray tube is set to a tube voltage or the like for a specified irradiation time. A corresponding dose of radiation is emitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, one access point 53 is associated with each imaging apparatus for performing radiographic imaging using the FPD cassette 1 installed in the imaging room Ra. Each access point 53 is provided in the vicinity of each photographing apparatus.

  In this embodiment, the imaging apparatus for performing radiographic imaging using the FPD cassette 1 is a standing-up imaging bucky device 51A and a supine imaging bucky device that can be used with the FPD cassette 1 loaded. 51B. In order to cope with the case where the FPD cassette 1 is used in a single state where the FPD cassette 1 is not loaded in the bucky device 51, a portable radiation source 52P for irradiating the FPD cassette 1 in a single state with radiation is also used as an imaging device. ing.

  If the radiation source 52A is regarded as an imaging device and one access point 53 is provided for the radiation source 52A, the radiation source 52A includes a standing-up imaging device 51A and a supine imaging device 51B as described above. As described later, based on the signal strength SI of the signal received by the access point 53, it is determined whether the FPD cassette 1 is loaded into any of the Bucky devices 51 and the like to perform shooting. When 58 determines, it becomes impossible to determine which Bucky device 51 is used.

  Therefore, as in the present embodiment, when the radiation source 52A is shared by the standing-up imaging device 51A and the lying-up imaging device 51B, the access point 53 is assigned to each of the bucky devices. It is desirable to provide each of the devices 51A and 51B.

  In the present embodiment, each access point 53 is provided with a signal strength measuring means 53a for measuring the signal strength SI of the signal from the FPD cassette 1 received by the access point 53. The signal strength measuring means 53a is configured to transmit the information of the measured signal strength SI to the console 58 when transmitting the signal received by the access point 53 to the console 58.

  Further, when the access point 53 transmits a signal to the console 58, the access point 53 transmits the identification information of the access point 53, that is, the SSID in this embodiment with the signal added thereto. Therefore, after all, when a signal is transmitted from the access point 53 to the console 58, the identification information of the access point 53 and the signal strength SI information measured by the signal strength measuring means 53a are appended to the signal and transmitted. .

  When the console 58 receives a signal from each access point 53, the console 58 determines from which access point 53 the signal is transmitted based on the identification information of the access point 53 attached to the signal. recognize. Further, based on the information of the signal strength SI, the signal strength SI received by the access point 53 is recognized.

  In FIG. 1, in order to clearly indicate that each access point 53 is connected to the console 58, each access point 53 and the console 58 are described as being directly connected by a cable or the like. In practice, however, each is connected to a console 58 via a repeater 54 having a function such as a router.

  Further, FIG. 1 shows a case where the access point 53 is provided in the vicinity of each imaging device (that is, the Bucky device 51A, 51B or the portable radiation source 52P). For example, the access point 53 is provided in the Bucky device 51A, It can also be provided so as to be attached to 51B or radiation source 52P.

  As described above, since the shooting room Ra is shielded by lead or the like, even if information such as the image data D is transmitted / received from the FPD cassette 1 via the antenna device 41 in the shooting room Ra, it is transmitted and received as it is. Becomes difficult. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the FPD cassette 1 and the console 58 communicate wirelessly, a repeater 54 that relays these communications is provided.

  A cradle 55 is connected to the repeater 54. As shown in FIG. 11, when the FPD cassette 1 brought into the photographing room Ra is inserted and the connector 39 of the FPD cassette 1 and the connector 55a of the cradle 55 are connected, the cassette from the FPD cassette 1 is inserted as described above. The ID is notified to the repeater 54 via the cradle 55. When the cassette ID of the FPD cassette 1 is transmitted from the cradle 55, the repeater 54 notifies the console 58 of the cassette ID.

  Further, as described above, when the cassette ID is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1, identification information such as an SSID of each access point 53 (described later) provided in the photographing room Ra is transmitted from the console 58. Therefore, the FPD cassette 1 Stores and registers their identification information.

  The cradle 55 is normally used for storing or charging the FPD cassette 1 or the like, and in this embodiment, the cradle 55 can also be configured to have a function such as charging. . 11 shows the cradle 55 provided with two insertion ports for inserting the FPD cassette 1, the number of the insertion ports may be one, or three or more.

  The cradle 55 may be installed in either the imaging room Ra or the front room Rb. When the cradle 55 is installed in the imaging room Ra, a position where the radiation irradiated from the radiation source 52 does not reach, that is, for example, the imaging room. Installed at the corner of Ra.

  On the other hand, as a means for detecting the FPD cassette 1 brought into the photographing room Ra or the front room Rb and notifying the console 58 of the cassette ID, instead of using the cradle 55 as described above, or in combination with the grade 55. Thus, as shown in FIG. 12, for example, a tag reader 60 may be provided near the door of the front chamber Rb.

  In such a configuration, a tag (not shown) such as a so-called RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag is built in the FPD cassette 1 in advance, and unique information such as the cassette ID of the FPD cassette 1 is stored in the tag. deep. When the FPD cassette 1 passes through the vicinity of the tag reader 60 and is brought into the photographing room Ra or the front room Rb, the tag reader 60 reads information such as a cassette ID from the tag of the FPD cassette 1, and the cassette ID is read from the console 58. Can be configured to notify.

  If the tag reader 60 is used in this way, it is possible to detect both the FPD cassette 1 being brought into the photographing room Ra and the taking-out from the photographing room Ra, which is preferable.

  In this case, the tag reader 60 and the cradle 55 may be configured to double check whether at least the FPD cassette 1 is brought into the photographing room Ra. When only the tag reader 60 is used, the cradle 55 is simply used for charging the FPD cassette 1 or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front chamber (also referred to as an operation room or the like) Rb includes an exposure switch 56 or the like that is operated by the photographer to instruct the radiation source 52 to start radiation irradiation or the like. A radiation generator 57 is provided.

  The radiation generating device 57 supplies a predetermined tube voltage, tube current, or the like to the radiation source 52 based on an instruction from the console 58, moves the radiation source 52 to a predetermined position, The radiation source 52 is activated by changing the irradiation direction or the like.

  In addition, the front room Rb is provided with a console 58, which includes a computer, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output interface, and the like (not shown) connected to a bus. A predetermined program is stored in the ROM, and the console 58 reads out a necessary program, expands it in a work area of the RAM, and executes various processes according to the program. It is also possible to provide the console 58 outside the front chamber Rb.

  The console 58 is provided with a display unit 58a made up of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or the like, and is connected to input means (not shown) such as a keyboard and a mouse. The console 58 is connected to a storage means 59 composed of a hard disk or the like, and the storage means 59 stores image data D transmitted from the FPD cassette 1.

  Then, the console 58 performs various image processing such as offset correction, gain correction, logarithmic conversion correction, gradation processing according to the part and imaging conditions based on the image data D and the offset correction value, A final radiographic image for image processing diagnosis is generated.

  Although not shown, the console 58 includes an external device such as another computer or an imager that records and outputs a radiation image on an image recording medium such as a film based on data output from the console 58, HIS (Hospital Information System) and RIS (Radiology Information System) are connected via a network such as a LAN.

  As described above, when the FPD cassette 1 brought into the photographing room Ra is inserted into the console 58 and the cassette ID of the FPD cassette 1 is transmitted via the cradle 55 or the repeater 54, the cassette ID is received. Is stored in the storage means 59, and the FPD cassette 1 having the cassette ID is recognized and managed to be brought into the photographing room Ra or the front room Rb.

  Further, when the above-described stop signal is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1 in the photographing room Ra, the console 58 stores the FPD cassette 1 stored in association with the cassette ID stored in the storage unit 59. If the information indicating the operating state is information indicating the stopped state, the information is left as it is, and if the information indicating the starting state, the information indicating the stopped state is newly associated with the cassette ID and overwritten.

  When the above-described activation signal is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1 in the photographing room Ra, the console 58 stores the FPD cassette 1 stored in association with the cassette ID stored in the storage unit 59. If the information indicating the operating state is information indicating the activated state, the information is left as it is, and if the information indicating the stopped state, the information indicating the activated state is newly associated with the cassette ID and overwritten.

  In this way, the console 58 is currently in the operating state of the FPD cassette 1 in either the activated state (that is, the power is turned on) or the stopped state (that is, the power is turned off). It has come to recognize and manage.

  Instead of being configured to transmit a signal representing the operating state of the FPD cassette 1 from the FPD cassette 1 to the console 58, that is, a start signal or a stop signal, for example, the console 58 is periodically or at a necessary timing. Then, the inside of the photographing room Ra is surveyed via the wireless antenna 53 of the repeater 54, and it is monitored and managed whether the operating state of each FPD cassette 1 existing in the photographing room Ra is a start state or a stop state. It is also possible to configure so as to.

  On the other hand, as described above, when the console 58 receives a signal indicating that the camera is in the photographing enabled mode from the FPD cassette 1 together with the cassette ID, the console 58 is associated with the cassette ID stored in the storage unit 59. If the information indicating the power supply mode of the FPD cassette 1 stored in this way is information indicating the shootable mode, the information is left as it is, and if the information indicating the sleep mode is information indicating the shootable mode in the cassette ID Are newly overwritten and saved.

  When a signal indicating that the sleep mode has been entered is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1 together with the cassette ID, the FPD cassette stored in association with the cassette ID stored in the storage unit 59 is stored. If the information representing the power supply mode mode of 1 is information representing the sleep mode, the information is left as it is. If the information representing the stored mode is information representing the imageable mode, the sleep mode is represented in the cassette ID. The information is newly associated and saved.

  In this way, the console 58 recognizes and manages whether the FPD cassette 1 is currently in the power supply mode of the photographing enabled mode or the sleep mode.

  Next, a control configuration in the console 58 based on a signal transmitted from each access point 53 will be described. In addition, the operation of the radiographic image capturing system 50 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the console 58 compares each signal strength when each access point 53 receives a signal transmitted from the FPD cassette 1 with a threshold value set in advance for the signal strength, and a signal equal to or higher than the threshold value is obtained. It is configured to constantly monitor whether or not there is an access point 53 that has received a signal with strength.

  Specifically, first, when the FPD cassette 1 is brought into the imaging room Ra and inserted into the cradle 55 (see FIG. 1) by a radiographer or other photographer, as described above, A cassette ID as identification information is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1 to the console 58 via the cradle 55. The console 58 stores the transmitted cassette ID in the storage unit 59 and recognizes and manages that the FPD cassette 1 having the cassette ID has been brought into the photographing room Ra.

  Further, when the cassette ID is transmitted, the console 58 transmits identification information such as the SSID of each access point 53 provided in the photographing room Ra to the FPD cassette 1 inserted in the cradle 55. . The FPD cassette 1 that has received the SSID of each access point 53 stores the information in its own memory.

  Then, the photographer pulls out the FPD cassette 1 from the cradle 55 and takes the FPD cassette 1 to a bucky device 51 to be used for radiographic imaging to be performed. In the following, a case will be described in which this bucky device 51 is a bucky device 51A for standing position shooting.

  In this case, as described above, the antenna device 41 that is the wireless communication means of the FPD cassette 1 always gives a signal representing the cassette ID that is the identification information of the FPD cassette 1 to each access point 53. The signal is transmitted with weak radio waves.

  As described above, the received signal is transmitted from each access point 53 to the console 58 together with the signal strength information measured by the signal strength measuring means 53a. In the following description, the signal strength at the access point 53 associated with the standing-up photographing Bucky device 51A is SIa, and the signal strength at the access point 53 associated with the standing-up photographing Bucky device 51B is SIb. The signal intensity at the access point 53 associated with the portable radiation source 52P is represented as SIp. Further, a threshold set in advance for the signal strength is represented as SIth.

  Furthermore, the access point 53 associated with the portable radiation source 52P may be configured to be activated only when the portable radiation source 52P is used and to be stopped when not in use.

  Even in a state before the photographer carries the FPD cassette 1 to the bucky device 51A for standing photographing, that is, for example, a state where the FPD cassette 1 is just pulled out from the cradle 55, the weak radio wave transmitted from the FPD cassette 1 A signal is received at each access point 53, and the signal received at each access point 53 is transmitted to the console 58 together with the signal strengths SIa, SIb, and SIp.

However, the signal intensity SI of the signal transmitted from the FPD cassette 1 becomes weaker in inverse proportion to the square of the distance between the FPD cassette 1 and the access point 53. In this state, since the distance between the FPD cassette 1 and each access point 53 is far, the signal strength SIa, SIb, SIp of the signal from the FPD cassette 1 received at each access point 53 is very small, and the threshold value SIth It becomes much smaller than. That is,
SIth >> SIa, SIb, SIp (1)
The relationship holds.

  In this way, when there is no access point 53 that has received a signal with a signal strength SI that is equal to or greater than the threshold SIth, the console 58 determines whether there is an access point 53 that has received a signal with a signal strength SI that is equal to or greater than the threshold SIth. The monitoring of whether or not is continued.

When the photographer approaches the bucky device 51A for standing position photography with the FPD cassette 1, the photographer is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1 at the access point 53 associated with the bucky device 51A for standing position photographing. The signal strength SIa of the existing signal increases. However, as shown in the following equation (2), the signal strengths SIb and SIp at the other access points 53 do not increase so much.
SIth>SIa> SIb, SIp (2)

When the photographer with the FPD cassette 1 gets closer to the standing-up shooting bucky device 51A, the FPD cassette 1 is transmitted from the access point 53 associated with the standing-up shooting bucky device 51A. The signal intensity SIa of the existing signal further increases and becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value SIth as shown in the following equation (3).
SIa ≧ SIth> SIb, SIp (3)

When the photographer loads the FPD cassette 1 into the standing-up shooting bucky device 51A, a signal transmitted from the FPD cassette 1 at the access point 53 associated with the standing-up shooting bucky device 51A. Is larger than the threshold value SIth as shown in the following equation (4).
SIa>SIth> SIb, SIp (4)

  The threshold SIth is such that two or more of the signal intensities SIa, SIb, and SIp at each access point 53 do not exceed the threshold SIth no matter where the FPD cassette 1 is in the imaging room Ra. It is set to such a value. That is, when one of the signal strengths SIa, SIb, and SIp is equal to or greater than the threshold SIth, the other signal strength SI is set to a value that is less than the threshold SI.

  Therefore, the console 58 captures the imaging device associated with the access point 53 when the access point 53 that has received the signal with the signal strength SI equal to or greater than the threshold SIth appears (that is, when the expression (3) is satisfied). That is, in the above case, it is determined that radiographic imaging is performed using the standing-up imaging device 51A.

  The console 58 then gives an instruction to the radiation generator 57 so as to perform radiographic imaging using the standing-up imaging device 51A, and the radiation generator 57 has a predetermined tube voltage applied to the radiation source 52A. The radiation source 52A is activated by supplying a tube current or the like, moving the radiation source 52A to a predetermined position, or changing the irradiation direction of the radiation source 52A.

  In this case, the radiographer or other radiographer only needs to carry the FPD cassette 1 to the target radiographing device, that is, to the position of the stand-up radiographing device 51A in the above case. There is no need to go to and operate the console 58.

  The console 58 automatically identifies the position of the FPD cassette 1 in the photographing room Ra without being operated by the photographer, and is a photographing device used for photographing, that is, in the above case, for standing photographing. The bucky device 51A is specified, and the radiation generating device 57 is controlled for photographing using the photographing device to form a state capable of photographing.

  In the present embodiment, the storage means 59 of the console 58 includes the identification information (for example, SSID) of each access point 53 and the identification information of the imaging device, that is, a bucky device 51A for standing shooting or lying shooting. Each Bucky ID of 51B and the tube ID of the portable radiation source 52P are stored in association with each other in advance.

  The console 58 then appears when the access point 53 that has received the signal transmitted from the FPD cassette 1 as described above (ie, the cassette ID of the FPD cassette 1) with the signal strength SI equal to or greater than the threshold SIth (ie, the above ( 3) At the stage when the formula is established), the imaging device associated with the access point 53 is specified, the cassette ID of the FPD cassette 1 stored in the storage unit 59, and the identification information of the specified imaging device Are stored in association with each other.

  In this way, in this embodiment, the console 58 has the FPD cassette 1 in which the Bucky device 51 is loaded, or the FPD cassette 1 is not loaded in the Bucky device 51 and the portable radiation source 52P is used. It recognizes and manages whether shooting is performed.

  Further, since the console 58, as described above, when the access point 53 that has received the signal with the signal intensity SI equal to or greater than the threshold SIth appears, the imaging device used for imaging is known. When the radiation source 52 for irradiating is activated, control such as stopping activation of the radiation source 52 is appropriately performed.

  Further, when the power supply mode of the FPD cassette 1 used for photographing is the sleep mode when the access point 53 that has received a signal with a signal strength SI equal to or greater than the threshold SIth appears, the console 58 switches to the FPD cassette 1. If it is configured to control the power supply mode of the FPD cassette 1 to be switched to the image-capable mode by transmitting an awakening signal or the like, there is a problem that the FPD cassette 1 is imaged in the sleep mode. It is possible to accurately prevent the occurrence, which is desirable.

  Since the photographer simply carries the FPD cassette 1 to the position of the standing-up image pickup device 51A and loads it, the radiation source 52 is activated by the radiation generator 57 in accordance with the instruction from the console 58 as described above. In the radiographing room Ra, it is only necessary to finely adjust the position and irradiation direction of the radiation source 52A as necessary, or to make fine adjustments such as positioning of the patient as the subject.

  Then, the photographer moves to the front chamber Rb and operates the exposure switch 56 of the radiation generator 57 to irradiate the FPD cassette 1 loaded in the patient or the bucky device 51A from the radiation source 52A. Then, based on the data transmitted from the FPD cassette 1, a preview image displayed on the display unit 58a of the console 58 is viewed to confirm whether or not the shooting positioning is normal. Move to the shooting room Ra for the next shooting. If the imaging positioning is not normal and re-imaging is necessary, the camera returns to the imaging room Ra and finely adjusts the position and irradiation direction of the radiation source 52A or finely adjusts the positioning of the patient as the subject. And re-shoot.

  As described above, in order for the photographer to finish photographing with the standing-up photographing Bucky device 51A, and then, for example, load the FPD cassette 1 into the standing-up photographing Bucky device 51B to perform photographing. When the FPD cassette 1 is extracted and transported from the standing-up photographing bucky device 51A, the signal intensity SI at each access point 53 temporarily changes from the state of the above expression (4) to the state of the above expression (2).

  At this time, the console 58 determines that there is no longer an access point 53 that has received a signal with a signal strength SI equal to or greater than the threshold SIth. At this stage, the radiation generator 57 is stopped from controlling the radiation source 52A for imaging using the standing-up imaging device 51A.

  Further, when the console 58 changes from the state of the above expression (4) to the state of the above expression (2) and determines that the access point 53 that has received the signal with the signal strength SI equal to or greater than the threshold SIth no longer exists, the storage unit 59 The association between the cassette ID of the FPD cassette 1 and the identification information (ie, the bucky ID) of the standing-up photographing bucky device 51A is canceled, and only the cassette ID of the FPD cassette 1 is used.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the console 58 performs imaging by using the portable radiation source 52P in which the FPD cassette 1 is loaded in the Bucky device 51 or the FPD cassette 1 is not loaded in the Bucky device 51. In addition to being performed, it is recognized and managed not to exist in the vicinity of any photographing apparatus.

  In addition, as described above, associating the identification information of the imaging apparatus with the cassette ID of the FPD cassette 1 on the storage unit 59 and releasing the association as described above, the signal is transmitted with the signal intensity SI equal to or greater than the threshold SIth. This is performed every time the received access point 53 appears or no longer exists. This also applies to a second embodiment described later.

When the photographer with the FPD cassette 1 approaches the bucky device 51B for lying position photography, the signal intensity SI at each access point 53 is
SIth>SIb> SIa, SIp (5)
When the photographer further approaches the bucky device 51B for lying position photography, the signal transmitted from the FPD cassette 1 is transmitted at the access point 53 associated with the bucky device 51B for lying position photography. The signal intensity SIb further increases and becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value SIth as shown in the following formula (6).
SIb ≧ SIth> SIa, SIp (6)

  At this time, the console 58 determines that radiographic imaging is performed using the imaging apparatus associated with the access point 53, that is, the bucky apparatus 51 </ b> B for the lateral position imaging in this case, and An instruction is given to the radiation generator 57 so that a radiographic image can be taken using the bucky device 51B.

  In this case, since the radiation source 52A is used again, the radiation generator 57 supplies a predetermined tube voltage, tube current, etc. to the radiation source 52A again, and if it is necessary to move the position of the radiation source 52A, The radiation source 52A is activated by moving it to a position and changing the irradiation direction of the radiation source 52A to a direction that faces the bucky device 51B for supine photography.

  Further, when the photographer performs photographing using the FPD cassette 1 alone, the FPD cassette 1 is used at the access point 53 associated with the portable radiation source 52P because the photographer approaches the portable radiation source 52P. The signal intensity SIp of the signal transmitted from is increased to become the threshold SIth or more.

  Therefore, the console 58 determines that radiographic imaging is performed using the portable radiation source 52P at this time, and the radiation generating device 57 is configured so that radiographic imaging can be performed using the portable radiation source 52P. Give instructions. The radiation generator 57 activates the portable radiation source 52P by supplying a predetermined tube voltage, tube current, or the like to the portable radiation source 52P.

  As described above, according to the radiographic image capturing system 50 according to the present embodiment, the console 58 uses the signal strength SI when each access point 53 in the imaging room Ra receives the signal from the FPD cassette 1. When it is determined that there is an access point 53 that has received a signal with a signal strength SI that is equal to or greater than the threshold SIth by comparing with a preset threshold SIth, an imaging device (for example, standing-up imaging) associated with the access point 53 is determined. The radiation generating device 57 is configured to activate the radiation source 52 so that photographing can be performed using the bucky devices 51A and 51B and the portable radiation source 52P).

  Therefore, even if the radiographer or other radiographer goes out of the radiographing room Ra and goes to the console 58 and does not operate the console 58, the console 58 automatically operates based on the signal strength SI of each access point 53. It is possible to accurately specify the position of the FPD cassette 1 in the radiographing room Ra and to activate the appropriate radiation source 52 based on the position of the FPD cassette 1 so as to accurately control the radiographing. Become.

  In addition, since the photographer only carries the FPD cassette 1 in the photographing room Ra, the radiation source 52 used for photographing automatically enters a standby state. Therefore, the photographer has to bother to prepare for photographing. There is no need to exit the Ra and operate the console 58, and the radiographic imaging system 50 is very convenient for the radiographer.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment described above, the basic contents of the present invention have been described on the assumption that one FPD cassette 1 is brought into the photographing room Ra.

  However, in actual operation, a plurality of FPD cassettes 1 are usually brought into the photographing room Ra. In such a case, when the principle described in the first embodiment is simply applied, for example, one FPD cassette 1 is loaded in the standing-up photographing bucky device 51A, and another FPD cassette 1 is mounted. Which FPD cassette 1 is used when it is loaded in the bucky device 51B for standing position photography (that is, using either the bucky device 51A for standing position photography or the Bucky device 51B for standing position photography) It is impossible to judge whether shooting is performed.

  Therefore, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, since the radiation source 52A is shared by the standing-up imaging device 51A and the lying-up imaging device 51B, the console 58 provides the radiation generating device 57 with the radiation source 52A. Even if the activation can be instructed, the irradiation direction and the like cannot be instructed.

  In addition, the power supply mode of any FPD cassette 1 of the FPD cassette 1 loaded in the standing position shooting Bucky device 51A and the FPD cassette 1 loaded in the standing position shooting Bucky device 51B is set to the shooting enabled mode. If it is not necessary to control whether to switch, and if both power supply modes are set to the image-capable mode, power is wasted in the FPD cassette 1 that is not used for image capturing.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when there are a plurality of FPD cassettes 1 in the imaging room Ra, the console 58 has a signal strength SI of a signal from the FPD cassette 1 received by a certain access point 53 equal to or greater than the threshold SIth. At this time, in addition to the FPD cassette 1, if there is another FPD cassette 1 whose power supply mode is in the photographing enabled mode, the power supply mode of the other FPD cassette 1 is switched to the sleep mode. It comes to control.

  Specifically, for example, since the signal intensity SIa of the signal from the FPD cassette 1 received by the access point 53 associated with the standing-up photographing device 51A is equal to or greater than the threshold value SIth, the console 58 is connected to the FPD cassette. The radiation generation apparatus is configured to change the power supply mode 1 to the imaging-capable mode and perform radiographic imaging using the imaging apparatus associated with the access point 53, that is, the standing-side imaging bucky apparatus 51A. Assume that the radiation source 52 </ b> A is activated at 57.

  After that, when the signal intensity SIb of the signal from another FPD cassette 1 received by another access point 53, for example, the access point 53 associated with the bucky device 51B for supine photography, becomes equal to or higher than the threshold SIth, At that time, the console 58 supplies power to the FPD cassette 1 loaded in the standing-position shooting bucky device 51A in addition to the FPD cassette 1 carried to the position-taking shooting bucky device 51B. Since the mode is set to the photographing enabled mode, the power supply mode of the FPD cassette 1 loaded in the standing position photographing bucky device 51A is switched to the sleep mode.

  Then, the console 58 sends an instruction to the radiation generator 57 so as to cause the radiation generator 57A to re-activate the radiation source 52A so that radiographic imaging is performed by using the bucky device 51B for lying position imaging. It has become.

  That is, the signal strength SI at the access point 53 is not carried by the photographer such as a radiographer but the FPD cassette 1 at which the signal strength SI at the access point 53 is equal to or higher than the threshold SIth. It is considered that photographing will be performed from now on using the FPD cassette 1 as described above.

  Therefore, the power supply mode of the FPD cassette 1 in which the signal intensity SI at the access point 53 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold SIth later is set to the imaging enable mode, and radiation is generated so that radiographic imaging is performed using the subsequent FPD cassette 1. By causing the apparatus 57 to activate the radiation source 52 again, imaging can be performed reliably and smoothly.

  Then, power is wasted by switching the power supply mode of the FPD cassette 1 that is considered not to be used for shooting to the sleep mode before the signal strength SI at the access point 53 is equal to or greater than the threshold SIth. This can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the radiographic image capturing system 50 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to exhibit the beneficial effects in the case of the first embodiment described above, and the FPD cassette 1 in the imaging room Ra. Even when there are a plurality of the FPD cassettes 1 to be used for imaging that the photographer is about to perform, the radiation generator 57 is activated based on the FPD cassette 1 accurately and automatically. It becomes possible, and it becomes possible to perform control for photographing accurately.

  Therefore, even when there are a plurality of FPD cassettes 1 in the imaging room Ra, the radiographic imaging system 50 is very convenient for the photographer.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the shooting room Ra and the console 58 are associated with each other 1: 1 has been described. For example, a plurality of shooting rooms Ra and a single or a plurality of consoles 58 are connected to a network. The present invention can also be applied to the case where the connection is made through the like.

  In this case, for example, by associating identification information such as different SSIDs with all the access points 53 installed in the plurality of imaging rooms Ra, the console 58 allows the FPD cassette 1 to be changed by the photographer. It becomes possible to perform the control as described above by recognizing which imaging device in which imaging room Ra is being carried.

  In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and can be changed as appropriate.

1 FPD cassette 7 radiation detection element 41 antenna device (wireless communication means)
50 Radiation imaging system 51A, 51B Bucky device (imaging device)
52 Radiation source 52P Portable radiation source (imaging device)
53 Access Point 57 Radiation Generator 58 Console D Image Data Ra Shooting Room SI Signal Strength SIth Threshold

Claims (5)

In the shooting room,
A plurality of radiation detection elements arranged in a two-dimensional manner, reading out the charges generated in each radiation detection element by irradiation of radiation as image data, and an FPD cassette provided with wireless communication means,
A radiation source of a radiation generator for irradiating the FPD cassette with radiation;
A plurality of imaging devices for performing radiographic imaging using the FPD cassette;
Each access point associated with each of the plurality of imaging devices and provided in the imaging device or in the vicinity thereof,
With
Outside the shooting room,
A console capable of receiving signals from the FPD cassette via the access points;
The console compares the signal strength when each of the access points receives a signal from the FPD cassette with a preset threshold value, and receives the signal at a signal strength equal to or higher than the threshold value. In the case where there is a radiographic image capturing system, the radiation source is activated by the radiation generating apparatus so that radiographic image capturing is performed using the imaging apparatus associated with the access point.   The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is a Bucky apparatus that can be used by loading the FPD cassette.   The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is a portable radiation source that irradiates radiation to the FPD cassette in a single state that is not loaded in a bucky apparatus. The FPD cassette supplies power only to necessary functional units including a power supply mode for each functional unit, a radiographable mode in which power is supplied to the radiation detection element to enable radiographic imaging, and the wireless communication unit. It is possible to switch between the sleep mode in which the radiation detection element that supplies and stops the supply of power to the radiation detection element and radiographic imaging cannot be performed,
The console performs control so that the power supply mode of the FPD cassette is switched to the photographing enabled mode when the signal strength of the signal from the FPD cassette received by the access point becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value. The radiographic imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the radiographic imaging system is characterized.   When there are a plurality of FPD cassettes in the photographing room, the console has a power other than the FPD cassette when the signal strength of the signal from the FPD cassette received by the access point becomes equal to or higher than the threshold. 5. The control according to claim 4, wherein when there is another FPD cassette in which the supply mode is a photographing enabled mode, the power supply mode of the other FPD cassette is switched to the sleep mode. Radiation imaging system.

Images