JP2012125309A - Radiographic imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiographic imaging system for adequately setting whether setting of an imaging condition with respect to a radiation generator is performed automatically or manually in a situation where a CR console coexists with an FPD console.SOLUTION: The radiographic imaging system 50 includes an FPD cassette 1F, a CR cassette 1C, the radiation generator 57, the FPD console 58F, and the CR console 58C. The FPD console 58F sets a linkage mode for automatically setting an imaging condition in the radiation generator 57, on the basis of the imaging condition included in imaging order information, and a non-linkage mode for permitting the setting of the imaging condition via a setting means 57a. When the linkage mode is set, the FPD console 58F transmits the imaging condition to the radiation generator 57. The radiation generator 57 sets the exposure dose of a radiation to be emitted from a radiation source 52, on the basis of the transmitted imaging condition.

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 radiation images have been taken using a screen film, but a stimulable phosphor plate (also referred to as a stimulable phosphor sheet) is used to digitize the radiation image. A CR (Computed Radiography) cassette has been developed, and recently, a radiographic imaging apparatus that detects irradiated radiation with a radiation detection element and acquires it as digital image data has been developed.

  This type of radiographic imaging apparatus is known as an FPD (Flat Panel Detector), and can display image data more quickly than imaging using the above-mentioned CR cassette, and thus can contribute to early diagnosis. Conventionally, it was developed as a so-called dedicated machine integrally formed with a support base or the like (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In recent years, a portable radiographic imaging 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 3 and 4).

  As a radiographic imaging apparatus, a so-called direct type radiographic imaging apparatus that generates electric charges by a detection element according to an irradiation dose of radiation such as irradiated X-rays and converts it into an electrical signal, or a scintillator that irradiates irradiated radiation. So-called indirect radiation that is converted into an electric signal by generating electric charge with a photoelectric conversion element such as a photodiode in accordance with the energy of the converted electromagnetic wave after being converted into electromagnetic wave of other wavelengths such as visible light An image capturing device is known. In the present invention, the detection element in the direct type radiographic imaging apparatus and the photoelectric conversion element in the indirect type radiographic imaging apparatus are collectively referred to as a radiation detection element.

  In the present invention, the portable radiographic imaging device is referred to as an FPD cassette. In addition, a system that performs imaging using an FPD cassette may be abbreviated as an FPD system, and a system that performs imaging using a CR cassette may be abbreviated as a CR system.

  By the way, in the conventional CR imaging, a radiographer or other photographer irradiates radiation from a radiation source to a radiation generator equipped with a radiation source that irradiates the CR cassette with radiation. The condition was set manually. That is, the photographer himself / herself set the tube voltage, tube current, etc. supplied to the X-ray tube of the radiation source in accordance with the photographing conditions such as the photographing part and photographing direction of the subject such as “front of chest”. .

  In recent years, a console and a radiation generating apparatus are linked and connected, and a photographer operates a console (hereinafter, this console is referred to as a CR console), and imaging order information including imaging conditions (for example, a diagram to be described later). 14)) from HIS (Hospital Information System) and RIS (Radiology Information System) and when radiographing order information is selected on the console, the radiation generator is selected from the console A system has also been developed that automatically transmits the imaging conditions included in the imaging order information and automatically sets the tube voltage, tube current, etc. that the radiation generator supplies to the radiation source based on the transmitted imaging conditions. .

  On the other hand, in imaging using the FPD cassette, the console controls not only the FPD cassette but also the radiation generation apparatus, and selects the console on the console (hereinafter referred to as the FPD console) in the same manner as described above. Development of a system for automatically transmitting imaging conditions included in the acquired imaging order information to the radiation generation apparatus and automatically setting the imaging conditions for the radiation generation apparatus is underway (see, for example, Patent Document 5) ).

  In the following, a method for automatically setting the imaging conditions in the radiation generator based on the imaging conditions included in the imaging order information for which the console is selected as described above, regardless of whether it is a CR console or an FPD console. A method in which a radiographer or other radiographer manually sets radiographing conditions for a radiation generator is called a non-cooperative system.

Japanese Patent No. 3890163 JP-A-9-73144 JP 2006-058124 A JP-A-6-342099 JP 2009-279055 A

  By the way, as a photographing apparatus currently installed in a facility such as a hospital or a doctor's office, a CR method using a CR cassette is mainly used for photographing, but it is expected that an FPD cassette will be introduced in a hospital or a doctor's office in the future. It is expected that CR cassettes and FPD cassettes will be mixed in a photographing room such as a hospital for a while.

  Also, if the CR console used for the CR system is software built into a general-purpose computer, the FPD system software is built into the CR console and one console is used for both CR and FPD. It becomes possible to do. However, existing CR consoles in facilities do not use general-purpose computers and are often dedicated machines.

  In such a situation, when the FPD method is introduced as described above, especially when the manufacturer of the CR console and the FPD console are different, the FPD method is used for the dedicated CR console. In many cases, it may be necessary to install a separate FPD console.

  However, in such a case, on the other hand, a photographer such as a radiographer who is accustomed to the conventional CR method photographing does not set the photographing conditions for the radiation generating apparatus himself, but is introduced to the FPD console. Therefore, regardless of the photographer's intention, there may be a sense of incongruity that the photographing conditions are automatically set for the radiation generating apparatus (that is, the cooperation method).

  On the other hand, if the FPD console is set not to automatically set the imaging conditions for the radiation generating apparatus (that is, in the case of the non-cooperation method), the FPD console automatically sets the imaging conditions for the radiation generating apparatus. The radiographer or other radiographer who wants to do it manually has to set the radiographing conditions manually, and the radiographic imaging system including the FPD console may be very inconvenient. obtain.

  When radiographers who perform imaging using a CR console or a newly introduced FPD console are limited, settings that match the radiographer's preference (ie, linked or non-linked) An FPD console having a suitable setting) may be introduced.

  However, especially when there are multiple radiologists etc., if the setting of the FPD console (that is, the setting of the cooperative method or the non-cooperative method) is limited, the setting is not desirable for radiologists who do not like it. This may cause a problem that the radiographic imaging system including the FPD console becomes very unusable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in a situation where a CR console and an FPD console coexist, whether to set the imaging conditions for the radiation generator automatically (that is, whether to perform the cooperation method) ) It is an object to provide a radiographic imaging system capable of accurately setting whether to perform manually (that is, whether to perform in a non-cooperative manner).

In order to solve the above-described problem, the radiographic imaging system of the present invention includes:
An FPD cassette that includes a plurality of radiation detection elements arranged in a two-dimensional shape, and that reads out the charges generated in each of the radiation detection elements by irradiation with radiation as image data;
A CR cassette containing a stimulable phosphor plate and storing the energy of the emitted radiation in the stimulable phosphor plate;
A setting means capable of setting imaging conditions; a radiation source that irradiates the FPD cassette or the CR cassette with an irradiation dose based on the imaging conditions; and an exposure switch that instructs the radiation source to start radiation irradiation A radiation generator comprising:
An FPD console that generates a radiation image based on image data read from the FPD cassette;
A CR console that generates a radiation image based on image data read from the CR cassette;
With
At least the FPD console
A linkage mode for automatically setting the imaging conditions in the radiation generating device based on the imaging conditions included in the selected imaging order information;
The FPD console does not set the imaging conditions for the radiation generator, and the non-cooperation mode allows the imaging conditions to be set for the radiation generator via the setting unit;
Can be set,
When the cooperation mode is set, the FPD console transmits the imaging conditions included in the selected imaging order information to the radiation generation apparatus, and the radiation generation apparatus transmits the imaging conditions that have been transmitted. Based on the above, at least the irradiation dose of the radiation irradiated from the radiation source is set.

  According to the radiographic imaging system of the system of the present invention, it is possible to freely set the cooperation mode or the non-cooperation mode with the FPD console, which is related to the specifications of the existing CR console in the facility. Thus, a radiographer or other photographer can freely set the specifications of the FPD console.

  Therefore, even in situations where CR consoles and FPD consoles coexist in the facility, the imaging conditions for the radiation generator are automatically set (ie, in linked mode) or manually (ie, in unlinked mode) Can be set freely and accurately according to the preference of the photographer or according to the rules of the facility, and the radiographic imaging system is very convenient for the photographer.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on this 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. 6 is a timing chart showing timings at which an on-voltage is applied to each scanning line of a gate driver when photographing is performed in a synchronous manner using an 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. (A) is a figure which shows the structure of an exposure switch, (B) is the state in which the 1st step operation was made with respect to a button part, (C) is a figure explaining the state in which the 2nd step operation was made. is there. It is a figure which shows the example of imaging | photography order information. It is a figure which shows the example of the selection screen which displays imaging | photography order information. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen on which each icon etc. corresponding to each imaging | photography order information selected were displayed. It is a figure which shows the state by which the preview image was displayed on the position of the focused original icon. It is a figure which shows the state by which the next icon was focused and the radiographic image was displayed in the position of the original icon. (A) is a side view showing the structure of a cover apparatus, (B) is a top view showing the structure of the cover apparatus of the state by which the cover part was open | released. It is the schematic showing the structure of an optical detection means. (A) It is the side view which shows the example of the tumbler spring provided in the part of the hinge structure of a cover apparatus, (B) and the enlarged view which looked at the part of the hinge structure from the front. It is the schematic showing another structural example of a cover apparatus.

  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.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the case where the imaging room Ra, the FPD console 58F, and the CR console 58C are associated with each other one by one will be described. The present invention can also be applied to a system in which the FPD console 58F and the CR console 58C are connected via a network, for example.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a radiographic image capturing system according to the present embodiment. The imaging room Ra is a room that irradiates a subject that is a part of the patient's body (that is, the imaging region of the patient) and performs radiographic imaging, and generates radiation from a radiation irradiation device that irradiates the subject with radiation. A radiation source 52 of the apparatus 57 is disposed. 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 (that is, a portable radiographic image capturing apparatus) 1F described below is used as the radiographic image capturing apparatus. In addition to the FPD cassette IF, the photographing room Ra is also equipped with a CR cassette 1C or can be brought in, and is provided with a bucky device 51 that can be loaded with the FPD cassette 1F and the CR cassette 1C. It has been. The bucky device 51 and the radiation source 52 will be described later.

  Here, first, the CR cassette 1C used for radiographic imaging in the radiographic imaging system 50 will be described.

  As a configuration of the CR cassette 1C, for example, a configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-287833 or the like can be adopted, but a known one can be used for the CR cassette 1C, There is no particular limitation as long as it has a stimulable phosphor plate that accumulates the energy of the emitted radiation.

  In the present embodiment, the CR cassette 1C is attached with a barcode (not shown) carrying identification information of the CR cassette 1C, for example, on the back surface of the CR cassette 1C. Is read into the image reading device 61 (described later) installed outside the imaging room Ra and the image data D is read from the photostimulable phosphor plate, the bar code is read by the image reading device 61. .

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

  Hereinafter, as the FPD cassette 1F, a so-called indirect type FPD cassette that includes a scintillator or the like and converts emitted radiation to 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 </ b> F, 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, a hollow rectangular tube-shaped housing body 2A having a radiation incident surface R in the housing 2 of the FPD cassette 1F 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 1F, and the like. An indicator 40 and the like are arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lid member 2 </ b> C on the opposite side of the housing 2 has an antenna device 41 that is a communication unit for wirelessly transmitting image data or the like to the FPD console 58 </ b> F (see FIG. 1). Embedded. It is also possible to configure the image data and the like to be transmitted to the FPD console 58F in a wired manner. In this case, for example, the image data is configured to be transmitted and received by connecting a cable or the like to the connector 39 described above. In the case where the antenna device 41 is provided, the arrangement location and the number of antenna devices 41 on the housing 2 are appropriately determined.

  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.

  In the present embodiment, a photodiode is used as the radiation detection element 7, but a phototransistor or the like can also be used in addition to this. 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. 5 and FIG. 6, a bias line 9 is connected to each of the plurality of radiation detection elements 7 arranged in a row, and each bias line 9 is detected by the substrate 4 as shown in FIG. It is bound to one connection 10 at a position outside the part P.

  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 1F is formed. In FIG. 7, illustration of the electronic component 32 and the like is omitted.

  Here, the circuit configuration of the FPD cassette 1F 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 irradiated to the FPD cassette 1F 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 irradiation dose of the 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.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the current detection means 42 that converts the current flowing through the connection 10 into, for example, a voltage value is provided in the connection 10 of the bias line 9. The current detection unit 42 outputs a voltage value converted from the current value to the control unit 22.

  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 1F. 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 1F. Further, the above-described antenna device 41 is connected to the control means 22.

  Here, processing in the FPD cassette 1F at the time of radiographic imaging will be described. In the present embodiment, the FPD cassette 1F can perform photographing using any of the following synchronous method and asynchronous method.

  Note that the cooperation method and the non-cooperation method described above are based on whether the FPD console 58F and the CR console 58C (see FIG. 1), which will be described later, automatically set imaging conditions for the radiation generator 57 (that is, the cooperation method) This represents the difference in whether the radiation technician or the like manually sets (that is, the non-cooperation method), that is, the difference in the setting of imaging conditions for the radiation generator 57.

  On the other hand, in the synchronous method and the asynchronous method, as described below, in radiographic imaging, imaging is performed while synchronizing between the FPD cassette 1F and the radiation generator 57 via the FPD console 58F. This represents the difference between shooting without synchronization. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the FPD cassette 1F is a synchronous method when used in the Bucky device 51, and is used in a single state without being loaded into the Bucky device 51. In the asynchronous method, shooting is performed respectively.

  For example, in the conventional dedicated-type radiographic imaging apparatus described above, an interface is usually constructed between the radiographic imaging apparatus side and the radiation generation apparatus 57 side, and exposure is started by exchanging signals between the two. It was configured to perform radiographic imaging while synchronizing timing and the like.

  Therefore, even when the FPD cassette 1F is used, an FPD console 58F is interposed between the FPD cassette 1F and the radiation generator 57, and an interface is constructed between the FPD cassette 1F-FPD console 58F and the radiation generator 57. Thus, the radiographic image can be captured in a synchronous manner.

  When shooting in the synchronous mode, the control unit 22 sequentially applies ON voltages to the lines L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15b of the scanning driving unit 15 before shooting, as shown in FIG. The TFTs 8 connected to the scanning lines 5 are sequentially turned on to discharge the charges remaining in the radiation detection elements 7, and the reset processing of the radiation detection elements 7 is performed. In this synchronization method, it is not necessary to detect the current flowing through the connection 10 of the bias line 9, and therefore the current detection means 42 is turned off.

  In the case of the synchronous method, when the irradiation start signal is transferred to the FPD cassette 1F via the repeater 54 from the FPD console 58F that has received the irradiation start signal from the radiation generator 57 (see FIG. 1), In the FPD cassette 1F, after applying the on-voltage to the last line Lx of the scanning line 5 and performing reset processing for one surface of the detection unit P, each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15b. Is applied with an off voltage to turn off the TFT 8 of each radiation detection element 7 and shift to a charge accumulation state. And the signal (henceforth a ready signal) which permits irradiation of a radiation to FPD console 58F is transmitted.

  As will be described later, when the irradiation start signal is received from the radiation generating device 57, the FPD console 58F is not configured to transfer the irradiation start signal to the FPD cassette 1, but at that stage, for the FPD. In some cases, the console 58F may be configured to inquire about whether or not the FPD cassette 1 is ready for photographing. In this case, the FPD cassette 1 performs the reset process Rm for one surface as described above. When it is completed and shifted to the charge accumulation state, a ready signal is transmitted to the FPD console 58F.

  Then, an interlock release signal is transmitted from the FPD console 58 </ b> F that has received the ready signal from the FPD cassette 1 </ b> F to the radiation generator 57.

  As will be described later, when receiving the interlock release signal from the FPD console 58F, the radiation generator 57 irradiates the FPD cassette 1F with radiation from the radiation source 52 (see the hatched portion in FIG. 9). When radiation irradiation ends, the FPD cassette 1F sequentially applies on-voltages to the lines L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15b, and reads out the image data D from the radiation detection elements 7. Done.

  In this way, in the synchronous system, signals are exchanged between the radiation generator 57 and the FPD console 58F, and between the FPD console 58F and the FPD cassette 1F, and radiographic imaging is performed while synchronizing. It has become.

  In addition, when shooting in an asynchronous manner, the control unit 22 operates the current detection unit 42. And although illustration is omitted, as in the case of the synchronous method (see FIG. 9), before imaging, on-voltages are sequentially applied to the lines L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 to reset the radiation detection elements 7. Process.

  In the case of the asynchronous system, radiation is emitted from the radiation source 52 based on an operation of an exposure switch 56 of a radiation generation device 57 described later by a radiographer or the like regardless of reset processing or the like in the FPD cassette 1F. When the radiation is irradiated, a part of the electric charge generated in each radiation detection element 7 due to the irradiation of the radiation flows out to the bias line 9, and the current flowing in the connection 10 increases rapidly.

  Therefore, the control unit 22 monitors the voltage value output from the current detection unit 42, and determines that radiation irradiation has started when the voltage value increases, for example, exceeding a preset threshold value. It has become. The detection of the start of radiation irradiation using the current detection means 42 is described in detail in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-219538.

  When the control unit 22 determines that radiation irradiation has started, it immediately stops the reset process of each radiation detection element 7 and applies an off voltage to each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15b. Thus, the TFT 8 of each radiation detection element 7 is turned off to shift to the charge accumulation state.

  Then, when the irradiation of radiation is completed, the control means 22 sequentially applies on-voltages to the lines L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15b as in the case of the synchronous method, and from each radiation detection element 7. The image data D is read out.

  In this manner, in the asynchronous method, the radiation image capturing is performed by detecting that the irradiation of radiation is started by the FPD cassette 1F itself. Note that the radiation irradiation start detection method in the asynchronous method is, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-126072, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-72254, or the United States, instead of the method using the current detection unit 42 as in the present embodiment. Various methods such as the method described in the excerpt of Japanese Patent No. 7211803 can be adopted, and the method is not limited to the method using the current detection means 42.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the control means 22 thins out each image data D at a predetermined ratio based on each image data D read from each radiation detection element 7 and stored in the storage means 23, and thinned data for preview. Dt is created.

  The thinned data Dt is, for example, image data D for one pixel every 3 × 3 pixels or 4 × 4 pixels when each image data D is arranged corresponding to each radiation detecting element 7 arranged in a two-dimensional form. Or the image data D from each radiation detection element 7 connected to each line L1, L4, L7,... Of the scanning line 5, respectively. The image data D from each radiation detection element 7 connected to each line Ln at predetermined intervals may be extracted and created.

  When the radiographic image capturing is completed and the image data D is read out from each radiation detection element 7 and stored in the storage unit 23, the control unit 22 immediately creates the thinned data Dt, and the thinned data Dt includes the FPD cassette 1F. A cassette ID, which is identification information, is assigned and transmitted to the FPD console 58F, as will be described later. The thinning data Dt is transmitted every time radiographic images are taken.

  After transmitting the thinned data Dt to the FPD console 58F, the control unit 22 assigns a cassette ID to the image data D that is the basis for creating the thinned data Dt, that is, all the image data D obtained by the photographing. Then, it is automatically transmitted to the FPD console 58F.

  As described above, the thinning data Dt is automatically transmitted without waiting for an instruction from the FPD console 58F. However, regarding the transmission of all the image data D, the transmission instruction from the FPD console 58F is not transmitted. It is also possible to configure to transmit at a certain point.

  When the thinning data Dt is transmitted, if the thinning data Dt is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1F to the FPD console 58F, the image data D is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1F to the FPD console 58F. In this case, it is also possible to transmit only the image data D other than the thinned data Dt that has already been transmitted among all the image data D.

  In this case, the FPD console 58F is configured to combine the thinned data Dt already received and the newly transmitted image data D to restore the entire image data D.

  As will be described later, when the FPD cassette 1F is not loaded in the bucky device 51 and used alone (that is, when nothing is connected to the connector 39 (see FIG. 2)), the control means 22 Transmits the thinning data Dt, the image data D, an offset correction value, which will be described later, and the like to the FPD console 58F via the antenna device 41 in a wireless manner.

  Further, when the FPD cassette 1F is loaded and used in the bucky device 51 (that is, when the connector 51b of the bucky device 51 (see FIGS. 10 and 11 described later) is connected to the connector 39), the control means 22 transmits the thinned data Dt and the like to the FPD console 58F in a wired manner via the Bucky device 51.

  The control means 22 calculates the offset amount superimposed on the image data D obtained by these radiographic image captures at the end of each radiographic image capture or at the end of a series of radiographic image captures. In order to obtain an offset correction value for correction, so-called dark reading processing is automatically performed. It is also possible to perform a dark reading process before single or a series of radiographic imaging starts.

  In the dark reading process, each TFT 8 of the FPD cassette 1F is turned off and left for a predetermined time in a state where the FPD cassette 1F is not irradiated with radiation. Then, in the same manner as the reading process described above, each radiation detection element 7 The accumulated dark charge or the like is read out as a so-called dark read value. The read dark read value is stored in the storage means 23 (see FIG. 8).

  Then, the control means 22 uses the read dark reading value for each radiation detection element 7 as an offset correction value or performs dark reading processing a plurality of times to obtain a plurality of dark values obtained for each radiation detection element 7. An offset correction value is calculated by averaging the read values. Then, a cassette ID, which is identification information of the FPD cassette 1F, is given to the offset correction value, and the offset correction value is automatically transmitted to the FPD console 58F.

  On the other hand, as will be described later, when the FPD cassette 1F is brought into the photographing room Ra, it is inserted into a cradle 55 described later as detection means. 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 1F is inserted into the cradle 55, the control means 22 Through this, a cassette ID which is identification information of the FPD cassette 1F is notified to a repeater 54 (see FIG. 1) which will be described later.

  Further, when the radiographer or other radiographer presses the selection switch 38 (see FIG. 2) as a selection unit, the control unit 22 indicates that the cassette ID, which is its own identification information, has been selected. The selection signal is transmitted to the FPD console 58F via the antenna device 41.

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

  Further, when the FPD cassette 1F 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 where the FPD cassette 1F is 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). When the bucky is loaded, transmission of the image data D, control communication, and the like are performed via the bucky device 51 in a wired manner.

  As will be described later, when the FPD cassette 1F is loaded in the bucky device 51, the FPD cassette 1F is supplied with 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).

  Then, when the radiographic imaging, the reading process of the image data D, and the like are not performed, if power is supplied to each function unit, the battery 24 is consumed, so the FPD cassette 1F supplies power to each function unit. The mode can be set between a state in which radiographic imaging can be performed, i.e., a radiographable mode in which radiography can be performed, and a sleep mode in which no power is supplied to each functional unit when radiographic imaging is not performed. It can be switched.

  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 FPD console 58F can be received, and the bias power supply 14 and the scanning drive are supplied. The power is not supplied to the means 15, the reading circuit 17 (reading IC 16) and the like.

  When the power switch 37 (see FIG. 2) is pressed, whether to start up the FPD cassette 1F in the image-capable mode or the sleep mode is appropriately set, but at least when the selection switch 38 is pressed In addition, when the FPD cassette 1F is in the sleep mode, the mode of the FPD cassette 1F is switched to the photographing enabled mode.

  In addition, after the FPD cassette 1F has been switched to the photographing enabled mode, if radiographic image capturing is not performed even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the mode is automatically switched to the sleep mode when the predetermined time has elapsed. It is like that.

  When the mode is switched, the FPD cassette 1F transmits a signal indicating that the photographing mode is set or a signal indicating that the sleep mode is set to the FPD console 58F together with its own cassette ID. It is like that.

  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. When the power switch 37 is pressed by a radiographer or other radiographer and the power is turned off by the radiographer or the like, before the FPD cassette 1 is powered off, The cassette ID, which is the identification information, and the stop signal indicating that the device is turned off are transmitted to the FPD console 58F via the antenna device 41.

  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 an FPD cassette 1F or a CR cassette 1C into a cassette holding portion 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.

  In the present embodiment, the bucky device 51 is configured so that the conventional CR cassette 1C can be loaded into the cassette holding part 51a and used, and the existing bucky device installed for the CR cassette in the photographing room Ra is used. An apparatus can be used.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the FPD cassette 1F is formed to have the same dimensions as the CR cassette 1C. That is, the CR cassette 1C 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) in the conventional cassette for screen films. 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.

  Therefore, the FPD cassette 1F is also compliant with the JIS standard in the cassette for screen films to which the CR cassette 1C complies, in order to be able to be loaded into the Bucky device 51 that can load the JIS standard size CR cassette 1C. It is formed with the dimensions.

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

  As shown in FIG. 10, a connector 51b connected to the connector 39 (see FIG. 2) of the loaded FPD cassette 1F is provided inside the cassette holding portion 51a of the bucky device 51. This is the same in the bucky device 51B for standing position photography as well as the bucky device 51A for standing position photography shown in FIG.

  As described above, instead of providing the connector 51b inside the cassette holding portion 51a of the bucky device 51, the FPD cassette 1F extends from the bucky device 51 before being loaded into the bucky device 51, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to connect the connector 51b provided at the end of the cable to the connector 39 of the FPD cassette 1F and load the FPD cassette 1F into the cassette holding portion 51a of the bucky device 51 in this state.

  When the connector 51b and the connector 39 of the FPD cassette 1F are connected, the bucky device 51 reads the cassette ID that is identification information from the FPD cassette 1F, and the cassette ID of the FPD cassette 1F and the bucky ID that is its own identification information. Are associated with each other and transmitted to the FPD console 58F.

  As described above, when the FPD cassette 1F is loaded in the cassette holding unit 51a and used, the bucky device 51 uses the thinned data Dt and the image data D output from the FPD cassette 1F via the connector 39. The offset correction value is transmitted to the repeater 54 (to be described later) in a wired manner and transmitted to the FPD console 58F.

  Further, the connector 51b of the bucky device 51 and the connector 39 of the FPD cassette 1F are connected to supply power from the bucky device 51 to the FPD cassette 1F. Therefore, when the connectors 39 and 51b are connected to each other, the control means 22 of the FPD cassette 1F 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.

  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, it is possible to irradiate the FPD cassette 1F or the CR cassette 1C loaded in the bucky device 51A for standing photographing or the bucky device 51B for standing photographing. It has become.

  The radiographing room Ra is also provided with a portable radiation source 52B that is not associated with the standing-up radiographing or the supine radiographing apparatus 51A, 51B. The portable radiation source 52B can be carried anywhere in the photographing room Ra, and can irradiate radiation in an arbitrary direction. Although FIG. 1 shows a case where the portable radiation source 52B is controlled by the radiation generator 57 of the radiation source 52A, the portable radiation source 52B is independent of the radiation generator 57 of the radiation source 52A. It is also possible to have a configuration of

  Then, the FPD cassette 1F and the CR cassette 1C are applied to the body part of the patient who is the subject in a single state (that is, not loaded in the bucky device 51), the table or the bed (not shown) of the bucky device 51B for lying position photography. The radiation can be emitted from the portable radiation source 52B at an appropriate distance and direction while being inserted between the patient and the patient's body.

  Note that the FPD cassette 1F and the CR cassette 1C can be used for radiographic imaging in a single state that is not loaded in the bucky device 51 in this way.

  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 tube voltage is set to a tube voltage or the like for a set irradiation time. It is designed to irradiate the corresponding radiation dose.

  As described above, since the photographing room Ra is shielded with lead or the like, even if information such as the image data D is transmitted / received from the FPD cassette 1F via the antenna device 41 in the photographing room Ra, it cannot be transmitted and received as it is. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the FPD cassette 1F and the console 58 communicate wirelessly, a repeater (base station or the like) provided with a wireless antenna (also referred to as an access point or the like) 53 that relays these communications. 54) is provided.

  As described above, the bucky device 51 and the repeater 54 are connected by a cable or the like. When the FPD cassette 1F is loaded into the bucky device 51 and used, the thinned data Dt output from the FPD cassette 1F is used. Are transmitted to the FPD console 58F in a wired manner via the Bucky device 51, the repeater 54, and the like.

  The repeater 54 transfers an irradiation start signal from the console 58 to the FPD cassette 1F (or inquires from the console 58 to the FPD cassette 1) when the FPD cassette 1F is used for shooting in the above-described synchronization method. ) And transmission of a ready signal from the FPD cassette 1F to the console 58 are relayed.

  A cradle 55 is connected to the repeater 54. As shown in FIG. 12, when the FPD cassette 1F brought into the photographing room Ra is inserted into the cradle 55 and the connector 39 of the FPD cassette 1F and the connector 55a of the cradle 55 are connected, as described above, the FPD cassette 1 The cassette ID is notified from 1F to the repeater 54 via the cradle 55. When the cassette ID of the FPD cassette 1F is transmitted from the cradle 55, the repeater 54 notifies the FPD console 58F of the cassette ID.

  The cradle 55 is normally used for storing or charging the FPD cassette 1F and the like, and in this embodiment, the cradle 55 can also be configured to have a function such as charging. . Furthermore, although FIG. 12 shows the cradle 55 provided with two insertion ports for inserting the FPD cassette 1F, 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 detection means for detecting the FPD cassette 1F 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 gradle 55 And although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, it is also possible to comprise so that a tag reader may be provided near the door of the front chamber Rb, for example.

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

  As described above, it is preferable to use a tag reader as the detection means, because at least the FPD cassette 1F can be detected both in the shooting room Ra and in the shooting room Ra.

  In this case, the tag reader and the cradle 55 can be configured to double check whether at least the FPD cassette 1F is brought into the photographing room Ra. When only the tag reader is used as the detection means, the cradle 55 is used only for charging the FPD cassette 1F, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front chamber Rb is provided with a radiation generator 57 including an exposure switch 56 and the like for instructing the radiation source 52 to start radiation irradiation. As shown in FIG. 1, the radiation generator 57 is provided with setting means 57a such as a keyboard for inputting and setting imaging conditions.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, the exposure switch 56 includes a rod-shaped button portion 56a having a predetermined stroke, and a housing that supports the button portion 56a so as to be movable in a stroke direction indicated by an arrow S in the drawing. It is comprised with the body part 56b. The button part 56a of the exposure switch 56 includes, for example, a cylindrical part 56a1 protruding upward from the casing part 56b and a columnar part 56a2 protruding further upward from the inside thereof.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the photographer pushes the column portion 56a2 up to the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 56a1 in the stroke direction S and performs the first stage operation (that is, a so-called half-press operation is performed). Once done, the exposure switch 56 is adapted to send an activation signal to the radiation generator 57. When the radiation generator 57 receives this activation signal, the radiation source 52 is brought into a standby state by starting rotation of the anode of the X-ray tube of the radiation source 52.

  As shown in FIG. 13C, when the cylindrical portion 56a1 and the columnar portion 56a2 of the exposure switch 56 are both pushed to the upper end portion of the housing portion 56b and the second stage operation is performed (that is, so-called When the full-press operation is performed), the exposure switch 56 transmits an irradiation start signal to the radiation generator 57.

  Also, in this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, at least one of the cooperation mode corresponding to the cooperation method and the non-cooperation mode corresponding to the non-cooperation method can be set at least by the FPD console 58F. It has become.

  As will be described later, when the non-cooperation mode is set on the FPD console 58F, the FPD console 58F does not set the imaging conditions for the radiation generator 57, and the radiologist or the like passes through the setting means 57a. It is allowed for the radiation generating device 57 to set the imaging conditions.

  Therefore, when the non-cooperation mode is set, the radiation generator 57 receives an input from the setting unit 57a. When the imaging conditions are input, the radiation generating device 57 activates the radiation source 52 and supplies the tube voltage and the tube current to the radiation source 52 based on the input imaging conditions. The irradiation dose of the radiation irradiated from the above is set, the movement of the radiation source 52 described above, the change of the irradiation direction, and the like are performed.

  Further, as described later, when the cooperation mode is set on the FPD console 58F, since the imaging conditions based on the imaging order information are transmitted from the FPD console 58F to the radiation generator 57, the radiation generator 57 Based on the imaging conditions transmitted from the FPD console 58F, the radiation source 52 is activated, the tube voltage or tube current is supplied to the radiation source 52, and the like. The setting or the movement of the radiation source 52 and the change of the irradiation direction described above are performed.

  In this embodiment, the CR console 58C is a CR console already installed in the facility, and the CR console 58C is configured in the cooperation mode or in the non-cooperation mode. Whether the setting of the imaging condition for the radiation generator 57 is performed by a radiographer or the like (that is, in the case of the non-cooperative mode) or the CR console 58C (that is, in the case of the cooperative mode) depending on whether or not it is configured It has been decided.

  Further, in the same way as the FPD console 58F according to the present embodiment, when the CR console 58C is configured to be able to set both the cooperation mode and the non-cooperation mode, the FPD console of the present embodiment is used. As in the case of the console 58, the radiation generator 57 follows the imaging conditions input to the radiographer or the like according to the mode set by the CR console 58C, or the imaging conditions transmitted from the CR console 58C. Switch to follow.

  Note that, as described above, the radiation generator 57 changes the radiation dose irradiated from the radiation source 52 depending on whether imaging is performed by the FPD method or the CR method. In addition, when imaging is performed using the FPD method or the CR method, the radiation dose irradiated from the radiation source 52 changes when the imaging region (that is, the region of the patient's body to be imaged) changes. Alternatively, the setting of the irradiation dose in the non-cooperative mode is performed for each photographing before the photographing is started.

  The same imaging order information is transmitted from the RIS to the CR console 58C and the FPD console 58F. As will be described in detail later, this shooting order information may specify either the CR or FPD shooting method, or may not specify the shooting method. In the latter case, since the existing RIS system is designed on the assumption of CR, when the imaging order specifying CR is selected by the FPD console 58F, the irradiation dose setting is automatically changed from CR to FPD. It is preferable that the application software to be converted is installed in the FPD console 58F, and the FPD irradiation dose setting corresponding to the selected imaging order information is automatically performed.

  In this way, a system in which an imaging technician or the like can select and use CR or FPD as appropriate leads to an increase in overall imaging efficiency within the radiology department.

  In the present embodiment, the FPD console 58F and the CR console 58C are provided in the front chamber Rb. In the present embodiment, the FPD console 58F is configured by a computer or the like in which a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output interface, and the like (not shown) are connected to a bus. A predetermined program is stored in the ROM, and the FPD console 58F reads out a necessary program, expands it in a work area of the RAM, and executes various processes according to the program.

  In the present embodiment, the CR console 58C is a CR console that is already installed in the facility. As described above, the CR console 58C includes software installed in a general-purpose computer. In some cases, it may be configured as a dedicated machine.

  Although the setting of the cooperation mode and the non-cooperation mode in the FPD computer 58F will be described in detail later, as will be described later, the FPD computer 58F is based on at least the radiographic image based on the image data D read from the FPD cassette 1F. p is generated. The CR console 58C generates a radiation image p based on the image data D read from the CR cassette by the image reading device 61 described later.

  Each of the FPD console 58F and the CR console 58C is provided with display portions 59F and 59C made of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc. Input means and the like that are not connected are respectively connected.

  In addition, the FPD console 58F and the CR console 58C each have built-in or connected storage means 60F and 60C composed of a hard disk or the like, and although not shown, a LAN (Local Area Network). The above-mentioned HIS, RIS, PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), etc. are connected via a network such as the above.

  Although not shown, the FPD console 58F and the CR console 58C record a radiation image on an image recording medium such as a film based on the image data D output from another computer or the console 58. An external device such as an imager for output is connected via a LAN or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the FPD console 58F has the FPD cassette 1F brought into the imaging room Ra inserted therein as described above, and the cassette ID of the FPD cassette 1F is transmitted via the cradle 55 and the repeater 54. Then, the cassette ID is stored in the storage means 59, and the FPD cassette 1F having the cassette ID is recognized and managed as being brought into the photographing room Ra or the front room Rb.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the FPD console 58F is stored in the storage means 59 when a signal indicating that the camera is in the image-capable mode is sent from the FPD cassette 1F together with the cassette ID. If the information indicating the mode stored in association with the cassette ID is information indicating the image-capable mode, the information is left as it is. If the information indicating the stored mode is information indicating the sleep mode, the cassette is stored. The information indicating the photographing possible mode is newly associated with the ID and overwritten.

  When a signal indicating that the sleep mode has been entered is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1F together with the cassette ID, the mode stored in association with the cassette ID stored in the storage unit 59 is indicated. If the information is information representing the sleep mode, the information is left as it is. If the information representing the stored mode is information representing the shootable mode, the cassette ID is newly associated with the information representing the sleep mode and overwritten. save.

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

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when an activation signal indicating that the FPD cassette 1F has been turned on and activated is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1F together with the cassette ID, the FPD console 58F saves in the storage means 59. If the information indicating the state stored in association with the cassette ID that is stored is information indicating the activation state, the information is stored as it is, and if the information indicating the storage state is information indicating the stop state, Then, the cassette ID is newly overwritten and stored in association with the information indicating the activation state.

  In addition, when a stop signal indicating that the power is turned off and turned off is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1F together with the cassette ID, the FPD cassette 1F is stored in association with the cassette ID stored in the storage unit 59. If the information indicating the stopped state is information indicating the stopped state, the information is left as it is. If the information indicating the stored state is information indicating the activated state, information indicating the stopped state is newly added to the cassette ID. Overwrite and save in association with.

  In this way, the FPD console 58F recognizes whether the FPD cassette 1F is currently activated or stopped, and manages the activation state of each FPD cassette 1F.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the FPD console 58F receives the cassette ID and the bucky ID of the FPD cassette 1F from the bucky device 51 in which the FPD cassette 1F is connected to the connector 51b. The cassette ID stored in the storage unit 59 is stored in association with the Bucky ID.

  Further, when the connection between the FPD cassette 1F and the connector 51b is released, the association between the cassette ID and the bucky ID of the FPD cassette 1F stored in the storage unit 59 is released, and only the cassette ID is obtained. It comes to save.

  In this way, when the FPD cassette 1F is used while being loaded in the bucky device 51, the FPD console 58F indicates which FPD cassette 1F is loaded in which bucky device 51 or not. Recognize and manage.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the FPD console 58F indicates that when the FPD cassette 1F used for shooting is used in an asynchronous manner, the shooting is performed in an asynchronous manner with respect to the FPD cassette 1F. A signal is transmitted. When the control means 22 (see FIG. 8) of the FPD cassette 1F receives a signal from the console 58, the control means 22 activates the current detection means 42 and shifts to a mode in which the FPD cassette 1F itself detects the start of radiation irradiation. It is like that.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the CR console 58C is connected to an image reading device 61 that reads the image data D from the stimulable phosphor plate of the CR cassette 1C. In this embodiment, the image reading device 61 is installed outside the photographing room Ra and the front room Rb, but the installation location is arbitrarily determined. Further, FIG. 1 shows a case where only one image reading device 61 is installed. However, it is possible to configure a configuration in which a plurality of image reading devices 61 are installed. It is decided appropriately.

  As the image reading device 61, for example, an image reading device already installed in a facility such as the image reading device described in JP-A-2003-287833 described above is used. The image reading device 61 is not limited to the above configuration as long as the image data D can be read from the photostimulable phosphor plate in the CR cassette 1C.

  Further, when the CR cassette 1C is loaded into the image reading device 61 after photographing, the barcode of the CR cassette 1C described above is read by the image reading device 61, and the barcode information of the CR cassette 1C read by the image reading device 61 is read. And the image data D are associated with each other and transmitted to the CR console 58C, the CR console 58C is similar to the processing in the FPD console 58F described later, and includes the CR included in the barcode information. Using the cassette ID of the cassette 1C as a key, the read image data D can be associated with the imaging order information.

  Here, before describing the setting of the cooperation mode or the non-cooperation mode before photographing in the present embodiment, image processing and the like in the FPD console 58F after photographing will be described.

  The FPD console 58F obtains necessary information such as photographing order information from the above-mentioned HIS and RIS by the photographer's operation.

  The imaging order information is set by specifying at least an imaging region and imaging conditions. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the imaging order information includes “patient ID” P2, “patient name” P3, “gender” P4, “age” P5, “clinical department” P6 as patient information, And “imaging part” P7, “imaging direction” P8 as an imaging condition, “bucket ID” P9 indicating the bucky device 51 to be used, “cassette ID” P10 of the cassette to be used, and the like. . Then, “shooting order ID” P1 is automatically assigned to each shooting order information in the order in which shooting orders are registered.

  Upon obtaining the shooting order information, the FPD console 58F displays a list of each shooting order information on the display unit 59F as a selection screen H1, as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, a shooting order information display field h11, a selection button h12, a determination button h13, and a return button h14 are displayed on the selection screen H1.

  Then, for example, when the photographer clicks the selection button h12, selects each shooting order information, and clicks the decision button h13, the FPD console 58F displays a screen H2 as shown in FIG. 16 on the display unit. It is supposed to be displayed.

  Note that, as shown in FIG. 15 and the like, some of the imaging order information specifies that imaging is performed using the CR cassette 1C. However, imaging is performed using the CR cassette 1C by the FPD console 58F. When imaging order information designated to be performed is selected, for example, a warning is displayed on the screen, and a radiographer or the like is requested to change the designation of the CR cassette 1C in the imaging order information to the FPD cassette 1F. It can be configured as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 16, each icon I corresponding to each shooting order information is displayed on the screen H <b> 2, and a preview image p_pre displayed at the position of the icon I as described later is displayed below each icon I. An “OK” button that is clicked when the radiographer determines that the re-imaging is unnecessary, or determines that the radiographic image p displayed at the position of the icon I is normal and determines the radiographic image p, An “NG” button that is clicked when re-imaging is necessary or image processing for the radiation image p is performed again is displayed.

  When the cooperation mode described later is set on the FPD console 58F, the “+” button and the “−” button for each item on the display Ia for setting the shooting conditions displayed on the right side of the screen H2. By clicking, imaging conditions such as tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time of the radiation source 52 of the radiation generator 57 can be finely adjusted and set.

  When a non-cooperation mode (described later) is set on the FPD console 58F, a radiographer or other radiographer sets radiographing conditions such as the tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time of the radiation source 52 of the radiation generator 57. In order not to misunderstand that fine adjustment is possible, it is also possible not to display the display Ia for setting the photographing condition on the right side of the screen H2.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the FPD console 58F selects and selects one of the icons I1 to I4 displayed on the screen H2 (icon I2 in the case of FIG. 16). The icon I is displayed with a focus so as to stand out. Then, shooting based on shooting order information corresponding to the focused icon I is performed. When the photographer wants to perform shooting based on different shooting order information, the focus can be changed by selecting another icon I corresponding to the shooting order information. It is like that.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the FPD console 58F has the inside of the photographing room Ra so that photographing based on photographing order information corresponding to the focused icon I is performed when the cooperation mode described later is set. The radiation generator 57 is controlled, and this point will be described later.

  It should be noted that the FPD console 58 </ b> F is capable of photographing when the power supply mode of the FPD cassette 1 </ b> F specified by the photographing order information corresponding to the icon I is in the sleep mode when the icon I is focused. Necessary processing such as transition to is performed.

  Further, on the left side of the screen H2, the imaging part specified by the imaging order information corresponding to the icon I displayed in focus is displayed on the human body model Ib that is shown so that the photographer can understand at a glance. It is like that.

  On the other hand, when radiographic imaging based on radiographing order information corresponding to the icon I displayed in focus is performed, the FPD cassette 1F is created from the image data D of each radiation detection element 7 as described above. Thinned data Dt is transmitted. When the thinned data Dt is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1F, the FPD console 58F displays a preview image based on the transmitted thinned data Dt, as shown in FIG. 17, at the position of the focused original icon I2. To be displayed.

  Note that the preview image p_pre may be enlarged and displayed on the screen H2 so that the photographer can easily see the preview image p_pre.

  After that, when image data D is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1F, the FPD console 58F refers to the cassette ID of the FPD cassette 1F attached to the image data D and corresponds to the icon I. After confirming that the FPD cassette 1F is specified in the imaging order information, the image data D is associated with the imaging order information.

  Then, if the photographer who viewed the preview image p_pre does not click the “NG” button while displaying the preview image p_pre for a predetermined time, the FPD console 58F displays it in focus as shown in FIG. For example, the icon I is changed to the icon I3, and the generation process of the diagnostic radiation image p based on the image data D and the like transmitted from the FPD cassette 1F by imaging corresponding to the original icon I2 is started. Yes.

  When the photographer who has viewed the preview image p_pre clicks the “NG” button during the predetermined time, the association of the image data D with the photographing order information is canceled, and the thinned data Dt or the image data D is deleted. Further, the generation process of the radiation image p based on the image data D or the like is not performed.

  In the storage means 60F of the FPD console 58F, correction data such as a gain correction value related to the FPD cassette 1F used for photographing is stored in advance. Further, as described above, the offset data O is transmitted from the FPD cassette 1F for each photographing.

  Therefore, in the generation process of the diagnostic radiation image p, the FPD console 58F performs processing such as offset correction, gain correction, defective pixel correction, and gradation processing according to the imaging region based on them. Yes. In addition, when photographing, there is a case where photographing is performed with a grid attached to the FPD cassette 1F, and therefore filtering processing for removing moire by the grid is further performed.

  When shooting using a grid, moire may occur in the image data D due to the relationship between the grid pitch and the pixel size of the FPD cassette 1F. As a countermeasure against this moire, the occurrence of moire can be avoided if the grid to be used is appropriately selected as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-316126. Further, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-88765, the image is once taken using a familiar grid, and the moire component included in the image data D is removed by filtering in the next step. It is also known.

  In the case of the FPD cassette 1F, since it is used in a plurality of radiographing rooms Ra as described in this embodiment, or used in round-trip destinations as described in embodiments described later, it is not possible to limit the grid types to be used. It's not a good idea. That is, it is preferable to use the grid that was used when the CR cassette was used for photographing. It is also possible to store the grid pitch information used for each photographing in association with the read image every time photographing is performed, but in the case of the FPD cassette 1F, unlike the case of the dedicated radiographic imaging device. In order to associate grid pitch information, a large-scale modification of existing imaging equipment is required, and the operation of a radiographer such as a radiographer in each radiography increases, which is not realistic.

  Accordingly, the grid to be used is not limited, and several types of moire removal filters corresponding to the grid pitch that can be used are prepared in advance, and all the filters prepared in advance are sequentially applied to the image data D. A method of obtaining a radiation image p without moire by applying is preferable for the FPD cassette 1F.

  When the diagnostic radiation image p is generated, the FPD console 58F displays it at the position of the original icon I2, as shown in FIG. When the photographer who has seen the radiographic image p determines that the generated radiographic image p is normal and clicks an “OK” button, the radiographic image p is determined and the diagnostic radiographic image p is captured. Corresponds to order information.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the CR console 58C is used as the CR console 58C, and the CR console 58C performs image processing and the like in the CR console existing in the facility. Done according to

  In this embodiment, the image reading device 61 is also an existing image reading device in the facility. At that time, when the CR cassette 1C is loaded into the image reading device 61 after photographing, the image reading device 61 uses the image reading device 61 described above. If the barcode of the CR cassette 1C is read and the barcode information of the CR cassette 1C read by the image reading device 61 and the image data D are associated with each other and transmitted to the CR console 58C, the CR As described above, it is preferable that the console 58C can associate the read image data D with the imaging order information by using the cassette ID of the CR cassette 1C included in the barcode information as a key.

  Next, setting of the cooperation mode or the non-cooperation mode performed before shooting in the present embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the operation of the radiation image capturing system 50 according to the present embodiment will also be described.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the FPD console 58F is selected by the icon I selected by the FPD console 58F on the screen H2 (see FIG. 16 or the like) or clicked by the radiologist or the like (that is, focused). The radiation generator 57 performs imaging based on imaging conditions included in the imaging order information corresponding to the icon I), that is, in this embodiment, the imaging region (P7) and the imaging direction (P8, see FIGS. 14 and 15). A linkage mode that automatically sets conditions can be set.

  In addition, as described above, the FPD console 58F does not automatically set the imaging conditions for the radiation generator 57 even if the icon I is selected, and the radiographer or other radiographer. However, it is also possible to set a non-cooperation mode that allows the radiation generating device 57 to set imaging conditions via the setting means 57a (see FIG. 1) of the radiation generating device 57.

  For example, the setting of the imaging condition for the radiation generator 57 is performed in the cooperation mode or the non-cooperation mode. For example, after the imaging order information is selected on the selection screen H1 (see FIG. 15), the screen H2 is selected. Before the display, it is performed on the FPD console 58F by displaying a setting screen (not shown) on the display unit 59F.

  Hereinafter, a case where the cooperation mode is set on the FPD console 58F will be described first.

  When the cooperation mode is set, the FPD console 58F transmits the imaging conditions included in the imaging order information corresponding to the selected and focused icon I to the radiation generator 57.

  In this case, instead of transmitting the imaging conditions themselves, or in combination therewith, it is also possible to transmit information related to irradiation conditions such as tube voltage and tube current supplied from the radiation generator 57 to the radiation source 52. Is possible. Further, prior to transmission of imaging conditions and the like, it is possible to notify the radiation generating apparatus 57 that the cooperation mode has been set.

  When the radiation conditions are transmitted from the FPD console 58F, the radiation generation device 57 activates the radiation source 52 if the radiation source 52 is not activated, and also transmits the imaging conditions transmitted as described above. The irradiation dose of the radiation irradiated from the radiation source 52 is set by supplying the tube voltage or tube current set to the radiation source 52 based on the above and setting the irradiation time, or the movement or irradiation of the radiation source 52 described above The direction is changed.

  Note that the FPD console 58F is displayed on the screen H2 as described above (FIG. 16) following the setting of the imaging conditions for the radiation generator 57 as described above, both in the cooperative method and in the following non-cooperative method. If the power supply mode of the FPD cassette 1F designated by the shooting order information corresponding to the icon I is in the sleep mode at the time when the icon I is focused in (see), the mode is changed to the shooting enabled mode. It has become.

  Next, a case where the non-cooperation mode is set on the FPD console 58F will be described.

  When the non-cooperative mode is set, the FPD console 58F does not set the imaging conditions for the radiation generator 57 as in the above-described cooperative mode, and a radiographer or other photographer takes the radiation generator 57. It is allowed to set the imaging conditions in the radiation generator 57 via the setting means 57a (see FIG. 1).

  In this case, in order to prompt the photographer to set the imaging conditions for the radiation generator 57, the FPD console 58F, for example, when the icon I is focused on the screen H2 and displayed as shown in FIG. The display that prompts the radiation generation apparatus 57 to set the imaging condition and the display that confirms that the setting has been made can be performed.

  In addition, when the non-cooperation mode is set, the FPD console 58F can be configured to notify the radiation generation apparatus 57 that the non-cooperation mode has been set. In this state, the non-cooperation mode can be set. In the latter case, even if the non-cooperation mode is set, there is no need to notify the radiation generating apparatus 57 from the FPD console 58F that the non-cooperation mode is set.

  The radiation generator 57 activates the radiation source 52 if the radiation source 52 is not activated when the imaging condition is set by the radiographer or the like via the setting means 57a, as described above. In addition, the irradiation dose of the radiation irradiated from the radiation source 52 is set by supplying the tube voltage or tube current set to the radiation source 52 based on the transmitted imaging conditions and setting the irradiation time, or the like. The radiation source 52 thus moved is moved, the irradiation direction is changed, and the like.

  When the radiographic imaging system 50 is configured as described above, the following effects are produced particularly when the FPD console 58F is configured as described above.

  That is, for example, the CR console 58C that is currently installed in a facility such as a hospital or a clinic does not automatically set the radiation generator 57 with the CR console 58C in correspondence with the non-cooperation mode (that is, the CR console 58C described above). System) may be set.

  In this case, when the radiographer or the like performs radiography using the FPD method, for example, even in the FPD console 58F newly introduced in the facility, the FPD console 58F does not automatically set the radiation generator 57. As in the case of the CR method, there are cases in which it is desired to set the imaging conditions for the radiation generator 57 by itself. Further, depending on the facility, even when shooting is performed using the FPD method, it may be determined that the shooting is performed using a non-cooperative method.

  Therefore, in such a case, if the photographer operates the FPD console 58F to set the non-cooperation mode, the FPD console 58F causes the radiation generator 57 to set the radiation generator 57 via the setting means 57a (see FIG. 1). Since the imaging conditions are allowed to be set in the radiation generating apparatus 57, it is possible to set the imaging conditions for the radiation generating apparatus 57 by operating the setting means 57a of the radiation generating apparatus 57.

  In addition, even if the CR console 58C already installed in the facility is set to the non-cooperation system, when photographing with the FPD system, it is desired to automatically set the radiation generator 57 by operating the FPD console 58F. Some photographers may think. In some cases, it is determined by the facility.

  In such a case, the radiographer operates the FPD console 58F to set the cooperation mode, so that the FPD console 58F is set on the radiation generating apparatus based on the imaging conditions included in the selected imaging order information. It is possible to operate so as to automatically set the shooting conditions for 57.

  In addition, the above is the same when the CR console 58C that is already installed in the facility is set to the cooperation method, and the radiographer or other photographer operates the FPD console 58F to operate in the cooperation mode or non-cooperation. By setting the mode, it is possible to set the imaging conditions for the radiation generator 57 according to the user's preference or according to the rules of the facility.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the FPD console 58F is configured so that the linked mode and the non-linked mode can be freely set. Therefore, in relation to the specifications of the CR console 58C existing in the facility, In addition, it is possible to freely set the specifications of the FPD console 58F (that is, the cooperation mode or the non-cooperation mode) according to the rules of the facility.

  Next, processing in the radiation image capturing system 50 when the FPD cassette 1F is set to the synchronous method or the asynchronous method will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the FPD console 58F does not exchange signals with the radiation generation device 57 even when the cooperative mode is set and when the non-cooperative mode is set. However, when the FPD cassette 1F is a synchronous system, signals are exchanged with the radiation generator 57 and the FPD cassette 1F at least during radiographic imaging as described below.

  That is, in the present embodiment, as described below, shooting is performed when the FPD cassette 1F is in the synchronous mode regardless of whether the FPD console 58F is set in the cooperation mode or the non-cooperation mode. At times, signals are exchanged with the radiation generator 57 and the FPD cassette 1F, but when the FPD cassette 1F is an asynchronous system, signals are not exchanged with the radiation generator 57 and the FPD cassette 1F.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the FPD cassette 1F is a synchronous method when used in the Bucky device 51, and when used in a single state without being loaded into the Bucky device 51. Since each imaging is performed in an asynchronous manner, the FPD console 58F is used in a state where the FPD cassette 1F designated by the imaging order information corresponding to the icon I is loaded in the Bucky device 51. In this case, it is determined that shooting is performed in a synchronous manner, and when used in a single state, shooting is performed in an asynchronous manner.

  Further, when imaging is performed in a synchronous manner, the radiation generator 57 interlocks from the FPD console 58F to the irradiation start signal transmitted from the radiation generator 57 to the FPD console 58F, as described above. Radiation is emitted from the radiation source 52 for the first time when the release signal is transmitted.

  That is, as described above, in the present embodiment, the radiation generator 57 is configured to irradiate radiation from the radiation source 52 for the first time when the interlock release signal is received as a response to the transmitted irradiation start signal. . Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the FPD cassette 1F is a synchronous method when used in the bucky device 51, as described later, and is not loaded in the bucky device 51 and is used alone. When used in a state, each of them is photographed in an asynchronous manner.

  Specifically, when the exposure switch 56 is fully pressed by a radiographer or other photographer (see FIG. 13C), the radiation generator 57 receives the irradiation start signal transmitted from the exposure switch 56. The data is transmitted to the FPD console 58F. When the console 58 receives the irradiation start signal from the radiation generator 57, the console 58 inquires of the FPD cassette 1F whether or not it is ready for imaging.

  Then, when the FPD cassette 1F is ready for photographing, that is, in the case of the synchronous method, when the reset processing of each radiation detecting element 7 before radiation shown in FIG. 9 is completed, the FPD cassette 1F is also asynchronous. In the case of the method, a ready signal is transmitted to the FPD console 58F when the power supply mode becomes the photographing enabled mode.

  Then, the FPD console 58F transmits an interlock release signal to the radiation generator 57 when the ready signal is received from the FPD cassette 1F. When the radiation generating device 57 receives the interlock release signal from the FPD console 58F, the radiation generating device 57 irradiates the radiation from the radiation source 52 for the first time.

  At that time, when the radiation generator 57 is set to at least the non-cooperation mode, the tube current when the radiation is irradiated to the FPD console 58F every time the radiation source 52 irradiates radiation. It is possible to configure so as to transmit an imaging execution result (may include information such as whether or not a filter is used) related to tube voltage, irradiation time, and the like.

  Then, the FPD console 58F uses not only the radiographic image p determined as described above (see FIG. 18, etc.) but also the imaging execution result transmitted from the radiation generator 57 as the corresponding imaging order information. It can be configured to be associated.

  With this configuration, the FPD console 58F, when associating the radiographic image p with the imaging order information as described above, the FPD cassette 1F attached to the image data D from which the radiographic image p is generated. In addition to confirming the cassette ID, it is also possible to confirm and associate the photographing execution result.

  Therefore, it is possible to accurately associate the confirmed radiographic image p and the imaging execution result with the imaging order information, and imaging performed based on imaging order information different from the imaging order information in the imaging order information. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the radiographic image p or the like based on the image data D obtained in step 1 from being erroneously associated.

  On the other hand, when imaging is performed in an asynchronous manner, the radiation generating device 57 does not communicate with the FPD console 58F, and follows the operation of the exposure switch 56 of the radiographer or other radiographer from the radiation source 52. Irradiate radiation. That is, without waiting for transmission of an irradiation start signal from the radiation generator 57 to the FPD console 58F, a reply of an interlock release signal from the FPD console 58F, etc. as in the case of the synchronous method, the exposure switch 56 Radiation is emitted from the radiation source 52 at an arbitrary timing by the operation.

  In such a case, for example, the power supply mode of the FPD cassette 1F used for imaging is the sleep mode, and the radiation of the radiation generator 57 is not in a state in which the FPD cassette 1F is not in an imageable state. There is a risk that radiation may be emitted from the source 52.

  If radiation is irradiated in such a state, the subject cannot be properly photographed by the FPD cassette 1F, and eventually the photographing must be performed again, and the exposure dose of the patient who is the subject eventually increases. Various adverse effects such as

  Therefore, the same applies to the case of the synchronous method. If the FPD cassette 1F is not in a state where imaging can be performed, the configuration can be made so that the photographer cannot operate the exposure switch 56 of the radiation generator 57 as described above. Can be prevented from occurring. For example, it is desirable to provide an erroneous exposure prevention means for preventing the exposure switch 56 from being operated in the exposure switch 56 of the radiation generator 57.

  As the erroneous exposure prevention means, for example, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, a cover device 70 attached to the exposure switch 56 can be used.

  And when radiographic imaging is performed using the CR cassette 1C, the photographer may irradiate the radiation from the radiation source 52 at an arbitrary timing. In this state, it is configured to be normally open.

  As will be described later, when the photographing is performed by the FPD method that is performed using the FPD cassette 1F and is controlled by the FPD console 58F, the cover device 70 is opened and closed. Therefore, the opening and closing of the cover device 70 is configured to be controlled by the FPD console 58F.

  The cover device 70 is disposed, for example, above the exposure switch 56, and is closed with a lid 71 that opens the cover device 70 when opened and closes the cover device 70 when closed. And a support plate 72 that supports the lid portion 71 in a state from the lower side.

  The support plate 72 is composed of a total of two plate-like members standing in parallel one by one on both sides of the exposure switch 56 in the state of being accommodated in the holder H. A lid 71 is swingably attached to the support plate 72 via a hinge structure 73 provided on one end side.

  As described above, in the above configuration example, a radiographer or other photographer can visually recognize the exposure switch 56 accommodated in the holder H from between the two support plates 72. For example, 2 Even if it is attempted to take out the exposure switch 56 from the holder H by putting a hand between the support plates 72, the exposure switch 56 cannot be taken out of the holder H by being obstructed by the closed lid 71. It has become.

  In other words, the positional relationship between the upper end of the exposure switch 56 and the closed lid 71 is that the photographer puts his hand between the two support plates 72 as described above. Even if the shooting switch 56 is to be removed from the holder H, the closed lid 71 is arranged at a position where the exposure switch 56 cannot be removed from the holder H by being blocked by the closed lid 71. Adjusted to

  Note that the exposure switch 56 can be taken out from the holder H when the lid 71 is in an open state (see the one-dot chain line in FIG. 19A). Further, instead of providing only the above two support plates 72 of the cover device 70, three support plates 72 are provided so as to surround the exposure switch 56 from three directions, or four support plates 72 are provided to provide four sides of the exposure switch 56. It is also possible to configure so as to surround, and is configured appropriately.

  Further, when the exposure switch 56 is configured to operate by rotating or horizontally moving the holder H, if only the above two support plates 72 of the cover device 70 are provided, Even when the lid 71 is closed, the photographer can operate the exposure switch 56 by putting his hand between the support plates 72 and rotating or horizontally moving the holder H. In addition, three or four support plates 72 are provided, and the exposure switch 56 is configured so as to surround from three directions or four sides, and the exposure switch 56 can be operated in a state where the lid portion 71 is closed. It is necessary to configure so that it cannot.

  On the other hand, a motor 74 is attached to the outer side of the one end side of the support plate 72, and the rotating shaft 75 of the motor 74 holds the two support plates 72 substantially vertically below the hinge structure 73. It arrange | positions so that it may penetrate. The motor 74 is electrically connected to the FPD console 58F by, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable C, and power (for example, 5 [V] or 24 [ V]) is supplied, or the supply of power is stopped.

  Further, a gear 76 is fixed at a predetermined position inside the two support plates 72 of the rotating shaft 75 of the motor 74, and at the end of the lid portion 71 where the hinge structure 73 is formed. A gear 77 that meshes with the gear 76 is fixed at a position corresponding to the gear 76 provided on the rotating shaft 75 of the motor 74.

  Then, when electric power is supplied from the FPD console 58F and the rotating shaft 75 of the motor 74 is rotated, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the gear 76 fixed to the rotating shaft 75 to the gear 77 fixed to the lid portion 71, As a result, the lid 71 swings around the hinge structure 73 so that the lid 71 is opened or closed.

  In addition, a sensor 78 that detects that the lid 71 has been closed by contact when the lid 71 is closed is provided at the upper end portion of the support plate 72, and the sensor 78 is electrically connected to the console 58. Connected. The FPD console 58F receives the signal indicating that the lid portion 71 transmitted from the sensor 78 is closed when the lid portion 71 is closed, so that the lid portion 71 of the cover device 70 is reliably received. Confirm that it has been closed.

  In FIG. 19A, the electrical connection between the sensor 78 and the FPD console 58F is not shown. 19A and 19B show a case in which the sensor 78 is provided only on one of the two support plates 72, the configuration is made so that both of the support plates 72 are provided. It is also possible.

  Further, as a method for confirming that the lid 71 has been opened and closed, instead of providing the sensor 78 or in combination with it, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, for example, a light emitting element 79a and a light receiving element 79b are provided. The optical detection means 79 provided is provided in the vicinity of the cover device 70, and when the lid 71 is opened, the light emitted from the light emitting element 79a is reflected by the opened lid 71 and reaches the light receiving element 79b. By doing so, it is also possible to configure to detect opening and closing of the cover device 70.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, a tumbler spring T is provided on the hinge structure 73 of the cover device 70 to urge the lid 71 into a closed state. However, it may be configured to be biased so as to be in an open state when it is opened beyond a predetermined position.

  If comprised in this way, even if the supply of the electric power with respect to the motor 74 from the console 58 is stopped in the state where the lid portion 71 is closed or opened, those states are maintained by the tumbler spring T. Therefore, power consumption can be reduced.

  Furthermore, instead of configuring the cover 71 of the cover device 70 to be swingably attached to the support plate 72 via the hinge structure 73 as described above, for example, as schematically shown in FIG. The rack and pinion structure is a combination of a rack 71 a provided on the lower surface side of the lid portion 71 and a gear (in this case, also referred to as a pinion) 76 fixed to the rotating shaft 75 of the motor 74. It is also possible to configure so that the lid 71 is opened and closed by moving the 71 on the support plate 72 in the horizontal direction.

  As described above, when radiographic imaging is performed by the CR method, a radiographer or the like operates the exposure switch 56 of the radiation generator 57 at an arbitrary timing from the radiation source 52 as usual. Radiation may be applied. Therefore, the cover device 70 is normally open in a normal state. The cover device 70 is normally open at least while the photographer operates the CR console 58C.

  On the other hand, when shooting is performed by the FPD method in which the FPD cassette 1F is used, as described above, for example, the power supply mode of the FPD cassette 1F used for shooting is the sleep mode. In a state where is not in a state where imaging is possible, it is necessary to perform control so that radiation is not emitted from the radiation source 52.

  When imaging is performed in a synchronous manner, when irradiating radiation from the radiation source 52, as described above, an irradiation start signal is transmitted from the radiation generator 57 to the FPD console 58F, and the FPD console 58F After confirming that the FPD cassette 1F is ready for imaging and transmitting an interlock release signal to the radiation generator 57, radiation is first emitted from the radiation source 52, so that the cover device 70 is always open. You may leave as.

  Further, as described above, the FPD console 58F, when the icon I is focused on the screen H2 (see FIG. 16) of the FPD console 58F, the FPD cassette specified by the imaging order information corresponding to the icon I. When the power supply mode of 1F is in the sleep mode, the mode is changed to the photographing enabled mode.

  Therefore, for the sake of safety, until the FPD console 58F changes the power supply mode of the FPD cassette 1F to the photographing mode or until it is confirmed that the power supply mode of the FPD cassette 1F is in the photographing mode. The cover device 70 can be in a closed state, and the cover device 70 can be opened when the FPD cassette 1F is ready for photographing.

  Further, when shooting is performed in an asynchronous manner, the above processing is essential. That is, in the asynchronous method, since the irradiation start signal and the interlock release signal are not transmitted / received between the FPD console 58F and the radiation generator 57 as in the synchronous method, the FPD cassette 1F can be imaged. The situation where radiation is irradiated in a state that is not possible can occur.

  Therefore, when shooting is performed in an asynchronous manner, the FPD console 58F changes the power supply mode of the FPD cassette 1F to the shooting enabled mode or the power supply mode of the FPD cassette 1F is set to the shooting enabled mode. Until it is confirmed that the cover device 70 is in a closed state, the cover device 70 is opened when the FPD cassette 1F is ready for photographing.

  If comprised in this way, it will become possible to prevent appropriately that radiation is irradiated from the radiation source 52, although the FPD cassette 1F used for imaging | photography is in the state which is not a state which can be image | photographed. .

  As described above, according to the radiographic image capturing system 50 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to freely set the FPD console 58F to be in the cooperation mode or the non-cooperation mode. The radiographer or other radiographer can freely set the specifications of the FPD console 58F in relation to the specifications of the CR console 58C.

  Therefore, even in a situation where the CR console 58C and the FPD console 58F coexist in the facility or the imaging room Ra, whether to set the imaging conditions for the radiation generator 57 automatically (that is, whether to perform in the cooperation mode) manually. The radiographic imaging system 50 is very useful for the radiographer because it can be set freely (ie, in the non-cooperative mode) according to the radiographer's own preference or according to the rules of the facility. It is easy to use.

  Further, as described above, if the exposure switch 56 of the radiation generator 57 is provided with the erroneous exposure prevention means such as the cover device 70, the FPD cassette 1F is irradiated with radiation in a state where the FPD cassette 1F is not ready for imaging. Can be prevented. Therefore, there is no need to irradiate the FPD cassette 1F that is ready for imaging again with radiation, and there is an advantage that it is possible to accurately prevent the exposure dose of the patient as the subject from increasing. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the cooperative mode and the non-cooperative mode are set on the FPD console 58F. However, it is also possible to configure so that the cooperation mode and the non-cooperation mode are set by, for example, the radiation generator 57 (see FIG. 1).

  In this case, for example, an input unit such as a toggle switch (not shown) is provided in the radiation generating device 57, and the radiographer or other photographer can use the input unit of the radiation generating device 57 before starting imaging in the imaging room Ra, for example. Operate to set either the linked mode or the unlinked mode. When switching the mode, the input unit of the radiation generator 57 is operated to switch the mode.

  In this case, at least when the cooperation mode is set, the radiation generation apparatus 57 notifies the FPD console 58F that the cooperation mode has been set. When the FPD console 58F receives a notification that the cooperation mode has been set from the radiation generating device 57, the imaging order information selected by focusing the icon I (see FIG. 16) as described above. Is transmitted to the radiation generator 57.

  As described above, the radiation generator 57 sets the radiation dose to be irradiated from the radiation source 52 by supplying a tube voltage or a tube current to the radiation source 52 based on the transmitted imaging conditions. And the like. And even if comprised in this way, it becomes possible to acquire the same beneficial effect as this embodiment.

  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.

1C CR cassette 1F FPD cassette 7 Radiation detection element 50 Radiation imaging system 51 Bucky device 52 Radiation source 56 Exposure switch 57 Radiation generation device 57a Setting means 58C CR console 58F FPD console 70 Cover device (misexposure prevention means)
D Image data p Radiation image

Claims (9)

An FPD cassette that includes a plurality of radiation detection elements arranged in a two-dimensional shape, and that reads out the charges generated in each of the radiation detection elements by irradiation with radiation as image data;
A CR cassette containing a stimulable phosphor plate and storing the energy of the emitted radiation in the stimulable phosphor plate;
A setting means capable of setting imaging conditions; a radiation source that irradiates the FPD cassette or the CR cassette with an irradiation dose based on the imaging conditions; and an exposure switch that instructs the radiation source to start radiation irradiation A radiation generator comprising:
An FPD console that generates a radiation image based on image data read from the FPD cassette;
A CR console that generates a radiation image based on image data read from the CR cassette;
With
At least the FPD console
A linkage mode for automatically setting the imaging conditions in the radiation generating device based on the imaging conditions included in the selected imaging order information;
The FPD console does not set the imaging conditions for the radiation generator, and the non-cooperation mode allows the imaging conditions to be set for the radiation generator via the setting unit;
Can be set,
When the cooperation mode is set, the FPD console transmits the imaging conditions included in the selected imaging order information to the radiation generation apparatus, and the radiation generation apparatus transmits the imaging conditions that have been transmitted. The radiation image capturing system is characterized in that the radiation dose of radiation irradiated from the radiation source is set based on at least. When the cooperation mode is set, when the irradiation start signal is transmitted from the radiation generation device in which the exposure switch is operated, the FPD console is in a state in which imaging can be performed on the FPD cassette. Whether or not, when a signal allowing radiation irradiation is transmitted from the FPD cassette, an interlock release signal is transmitted to the radiation generator,
The radiation generator is configured to irradiate radiation from the radiation source for the first time when the interlock release signal is transmitted from the FPD console when the cooperation mode is set. The radiographic imaging system according to 1. The radiation generating apparatus transmits an imaging execution result to the FPD console every time radiation is emitted from the radiation source when the cooperation mode is set at least in the FPD console.
The FPD console associates the radiographing execution result transmitted from the radiation generation apparatus together with the generated radiographic image with the corresponding radiographing order information. Radiation imaging system.   The FPD cassette detects and captures radiation that is synchronized with the radiation generator via the FPD console and that the radiation has been irradiated without being synchronized with the radiation generator. The radiographic imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the radiographic imaging system is configured so that imaging can be performed by any of an asynchronous system that performs the above.   When the FPD cassette is loaded into a Bucky device and used for photographing, the synchronous method is used for photographing. When the FPD cassette is not loaded into the Bucky device and used for photographing alone, the asynchronous method is used for photographing. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 4, wherein:   The exposure switch of the radiation generating apparatus is operated when the FPD cassette is not in a state where imaging is possible, at least when radiographic imaging is performed in the asynchronous manner using the FPD cassette. 6. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 4, further comprising means for preventing erroneous exposure to prevent the exposure. The erroneous exposure prevention means is a cover device attached to the exposure switch,
The cover device is configured to allow an operation on the exposure switch in an open state and to prevent an operation on the exposure switch in a closed state;
The FPD console is configured to open the cover device when the FPD cassette is ready for imaging, at least when radiographic imaging is performed in the asynchronous manner using the FPD cassette. The radiographic imaging system according to claim 6, wherein the radiographic imaging system is controlled.   The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 7, wherein the cover device serving as the erroneous exposure prevention unit is normally opened when radiographic image capturing is performed using the CR cassette. The setting of the cooperation mode and the non-cooperation mode is performed on the radiation generator instead of the FPD console.
The radiation generating apparatus notifies the FPD console that the cooperation mode is set, at least when the cooperation mode is set,
When the FPD console receives a notification that the cooperation mode is set from the radiation generation apparatus, the FPD console transmits the imaging conditions included in the selected imaging order information to the radiation generation apparatus, and generates the radiation. 9. The radiographic image according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus sets at least the irradiation dose of the radiation irradiated from the radiation source based on the transmitted imaging condition. Shooting system.

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