JP2019048181A - Radiography apparatus and radiography system - Google Patents

Abstract

To make shorter than before the wait time until an image is displayed on an external device, while avoiding the risk of recapturing the image.SOLUTION: A radiography apparatus 10 includes a plurality of radiation detection panels 20 for detecting respective radiation made incident after being transmitted through a subject to generate radiographic images and arranged in a direction intersecting the incident direction of the radiation. The radiography apparatus 10 specifies a display target image from among a plurality of radiographic images respectively generated by the plurality of radiation detection panels 20, and transmits the specified display target image to a console 70. At least radiographic images other than the target image are stored in image memory 43. The console 70 displays on a display unit 71 the received display target image, and in response to information indicating a display request for a radiographic image other than the display target image, displays the radiographic image other than the display target image read from the image memory 43 on the display unit 71.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The disclosed technology relates to a radiation imaging apparatus and a radiation imaging system.

  In recent years, a radiation detection panel such as FPD (Flat Panel Detector) that can arrange a radiation sensitive layer on a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) active matrix substrate and can convert radiation directly into digital data has been put to practical use. In addition, a radiation imaging apparatus such as an electronic cassette that generates a radiation image represented by the irradiated radiation using a radiation detection panel has been put to practical use. As a method of converting radiation into an electric signal, an indirect conversion method in which radiation is converted into light by a scintillator and then converted into charges by a photodiode, a direct conversion method in which radiation is converted into charges by a semiconductor layer containing amorphous selenium or the like, etc. is there. In each mode, various materials can be used for the semiconductor layer of the radiation detection panel.

  In a radiographic imaging apparatus, in order to enable imaging over a relatively wide range such as chest X-ray imaging, it is known that a plurality of radiation detection panels are arranged in a line along an imaging plane and elongated. There is. For example, in Patent Document 1, a plurality of sensor units each including an X-ray detection unit (CsI) provided on an imaging surface of an image detection unit (CCD: Charge Coupling Device) are arranged in an overlapping manner so that a part of the photographed image overlaps. In the X-ray image sensor whose imaging range is expanded, the X-ray imaging apparatus described in which the outer shape of the X-ray detection means does not exceed the effective imaging range of the respective image detection means and falls within the overlapping range It is done.

  There is also known a system in which a radiation imaging apparatus having an FPD is communicably connected to a console. For example, Patent Documents 2 and 3 describe a medical imaging system provided with an FPD cassette and a console.

  The FPD cassettes described in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 each include a radiation detection unit in which a plurality of elements for converting radiation transmitted through a subject into an electric signal are two-dimensionally arrayed, and the electric signal acquired by the radiation detection unit Reading means for reading and generating image data of a subject, divided image data generating means for dividing image data generated by the reading means into divided image data, transmission management means for setting the transmission order of divided image data, transmission And (d) detector communication means for transmitting the divided image data to the outside according to the order. The consoles described in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 include a display unit having a two-dimensional display area, a console communication unit for acquiring divided image data from the FPD cassette, and a display control unit for controlling the display unit. Have.

  In Patent Document 2, the detector communication means transmits division setting and transmission order as incidental data together with the divided image data, and the display control means displays the display area of the display means based on the division setting in the incidental data. It is described that the image is divided into a plurality of divided display areas, and the divided image data acquired by the console communication means is allocated to each divided display area based on the transmission order in the incidental data and displayed on the display means .

  In Patent Document 3, the display control means divides the display area of the display means into a plurality of divided display areas based on the imaging region information, and the divided image data acquired by the console communication means is arranged according to a predetermined allocation order It is described that each divided display area is allocated and displayed in each divided display area.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2000-292546 Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2010-22752 JP, 2010-17296, A

  As described in Patent Document 1, by connecting a plurality of radiation detection panels to constitute a long radiation imaging device, imaging over a relatively wide range becomes possible. However, there are also cases where it is desired to take a radiation image using only a part of the radiation detection panels that constitute the long radiation image taking apparatus. In such a case, when all of the images generated by each of the plurality of radiation detection panels are transmitted to an external device having a display unit such as a console, it takes a long time for the image to be displayed on the display unit of the external device. And the workflow is degraded.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to transmit only an image generated by a radiation detection panel (hereinafter referred to as a use panel) used for imaging to an external device such as a console. As a result, the number of images to be transmitted from the radiation imaging apparatus to an external apparatus such as a console can be reduced, so that the waiting time until image display can be shortened. However, it is also assumed that the subject may be reflected on other radiation detection panels other than the used panel, or the used panel may not be properly designated. In such a case, when imaging is not performed in another radiation detection panel other than the used panel, or when an image generated in the other radiation detection panel other than the used panel is not saved, It may be necessary to shoot.

  The disclosed technology has been made in view of the above-described point, and among the plurality of radiation detection panels juxtaposed in the direction intersecting the radiation incident direction, an image generated by a part of the radiation detection panels is externally output. An object of the present invention is to reduce the waiting time until the image display in the external device while reducing the risk of re-shooting when displaying on the display unit of the device, as compared with the related art.

  According to the disclosed technique, a plurality of radiation image capturing units and a control unit that controls the plurality of radiation image capturing units are provided, and the radiation based on the radiation simultaneously irradiated to the plurality of radiation image capturing units is provided. Radiation imaging system for generating a composite image, wherein the plurality of radiation imaging units include a first radiation imaging unit and a second radiation imaging unit, each of the plurality of radiation imaging units being a radiation And a signal processing unit that reads out and processes the radiation image signal, and a communication unit that outputs a radiation image based on the radiation image signal, and the control unit When the transmission of the radiation image from the first radiation imaging unit is completed, the second radiation imaging unit notifies the second radiation imaging unit, and the second radiation imaging unit responds to the notification. The Radiographic imaging system is provided for the force.

  According to the disclosed technology, a radiation imaging system is provided in which the second radiation imaging unit limits transmission of a radiation image until notification is given after the radiation image signal is read.

  According to the disclosed technique, a radiation imaging system further comprising display control means for causing a display unit to display a composite image obtained by combining the radiation images when reception of the radiation images from the plurality of radiation imaging units is completed. Is provided.

  According to the disclosed technique, there is provided a radiation imaging system for causing the display unit to display an image based on the received radiation image when the display control means has completed reception of the radiation image from the first radiation imaging unit. Provided.

  According to the disclosed technique, the control means transmits a transmission request for the radiation image to the second radiation imaging unit after the image based on the radiation image transmitted from the first radiation imaging unit is displayed on the display unit. A radiation imaging system is provided.

  According to the disclosed technology, a plurality of radiation detection panels each of which detects incident radiation transmitted through an object to generate image data of a radiation image and is juxtaposed in a direction intersecting the incident direction of the radiation; A designation unit for designating image data of a display target image among image data of a plurality of radiation images generated by each of a plurality of radiation detection panels, and at least image data of the display target image of the plurality of radiation images According to completion of transmission of a display target image from a first radiation detection panel among the plurality of radiation detection panels, a transmission unit for transmitting to the outside of the radiation image capturing apparatus, and A control unit for notifying a second radiation detection panel different from the first radiation detection panel among the plurality of radiation detection panels; , Radiographic imaging apparatus is provided which outputs a display target image in response to the notification.

  According to the disclosed technique, the designation unit is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels, and is used as a detection signal from each of the sensors that outputs a detection signal of a size corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation. There is provided a radiation imaging device for designating an image to be displayed based on the image.

  According to the disclosed technique, a designation unit provides a radiographic imaging device that designates a display target image based on attribute information indicating an attribute of a subject.

  According to the disclosed technique, the designation unit provides a radiation image capturing apparatus for designating a display target image based on information designating a display target image supplied from the outside of the radiation image capturing apparatus.

  According to the disclosed technique, an external device provided outside the radiation imaging apparatus is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels, and a detection signal of a size corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation is provided. Based on the detection signal from each of the output sensors, the presence / absence of a subject on each radiation detection panel is determined, and the designation unit designates a display target image based on the determination result of the presence / absence of the subject by the external device An apparatus is provided.

  According to the disclosed technique, when the plurality of images are designated as the display target images, the transmission unit derives the transmission order of the image data of the plurality of display target images, and the plurality of display target images according to the derived transmission order There is provided a radiation imaging apparatus for sequentially transmitting image data of the present invention to the outside of the radiation imaging apparatus.

  According to the disclosed technique, the transmission unit is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels, and is used as a detection signal from each of the sensors that outputs a detection signal having a magnitude corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation. There is provided a radiation image capturing apparatus that derives the transmission order of image data of a plurality of display target images based on that.

  According to the disclosed technique, a radiation image capturing apparatus is provided in which the transmission unit derives the transmission order of image data of a plurality of display target images based on attribute information indicating an attribute of a subject.

  According to the disclosed technique, when the plurality of images are designated as the display target images, the transmission unit designates the transmission order of the image data of each of the plurality of display target images supplied from the outside of the radiographic imaging device. There is provided a radiographic imaging device for sequentially transmitting image data of a plurality of display target images to the outside of the radiographic imaging device according to a transmission order indicated by the information.

  According to the disclosed technique, when a plurality of images are designated as display target images, an external device provided outside the radiation imaging device is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels and irradiated. The transmission order of the image data of the plurality of display target images is derived based on the detection signal from each of the sensors that output the detection signal of the size according to the dose of the radiation, and the transmission unit According to the present invention, there is provided a radiation imaging apparatus for sequentially transmitting image data of a plurality of display target images to the outside of the radiation imaging apparatus.

  According to the disclosed technique, each of the plurality of radiation detection panels is arranged such that the adjacent radiation detection panel and the end of the imaging region capable of generating a radiation image overlap each other, and the transmitters are two adjacent to each other Of the image data of the two display target images generated by each of the radiation detection panels, the image data to be transmitted later is from the portion corresponding to the end adjacent to the image indicated by the image data transmitted earlier There is provided a radiographic imaging device for transmitting to the outside of the radiographic imaging device in order.

  According to the disclosed technique, each of the plurality of radiation detection panels is arranged such that the adjacent radiation detection panel and the end of the imaging region capable of generating a radiation image overlap each other, and the transmission unit There is provided a radiation image capturing apparatus for transmitting image data of an image portion included in a predetermined range starting from an end adjacent to the display target image in the radiation image to the outside of the radiation image capturing apparatus.

  According to the disclosed technique, each of the plurality of radiation detection panels share detection information indicating that radiation has been detected by any of the radiation detection panels, and shifts to a radiographic image capturing operation based on the detection information. A radiographic imaging device is provided.

  According to the disclosed technology, each of the plurality of radiation detection panels is arranged such that the adjacent radiation detection panels and the end of the imaging region capable of generating a radiation image overlap each other in the radiation direction, and the transmission unit Image data of a radiation image other than the display target image is generated adjacent to the first radiation detection panel disposed downstream of the radiation direction of the radiation to generate the image data of the display target image among the plurality of radiation detection panels Overlapping of the imaging region of at least the first radiation detection panel and the imaging region of the second radiation detection panel among the radiation images generated by the second radiation detection panel disposed upstream of the radiation irradiation direction There is provided a radiation image capturing apparatus for transmitting image data of an image portion corresponding to a unit as image data of a correction image to the outside of the radiation image capturing apparatus.

  According to the disclosed technique, the transmitting unit identifies and identifies the expansion range of the subject image based on the point spread function based on the information indicating at least one of the subject attribute, the plurality of radiation images, and the imaging condition. When the expansion range of the subject image is included in the radiation image other than the display target image, the image data of the image portion including at least the expansion range of the subject image among the radiation images other than the display target image There is provided a radiation image capturing apparatus for transmitting image data of a correction image to the outside of the radiation image capturing apparatus.

  According to the disclosed technology, it further includes a storage medium for storing image data of at least a radiation image other than the display target image among the plurality of radiation images, and the transmission unit transmits the image data of the display target image among the plurality of radiation images. There is provided a radiation imaging apparatus for transmitting to the outside of a radiation imaging apparatus.

  According to the disclosed technique, the radiation image capturing apparatus described above, a storage medium for storing image data of radiation images other than at least the display target image among the plurality of radiation images, and the display object image received from the radiation image capturing apparatus A control device having a display control unit that causes a display unit to display a radiation image other than the display target image indicated by the image data stored in the storage medium, when the display unit makes a display request and displays the radiation image together with the display target image; There is provided a radiation imaging system comprising:

  According to the disclosed technology, the above-described radiation image capturing apparatus, a storage medium for storing image data of at least a radiation image other than the display target image among a plurality of radiation images, and image data shown by image data received from the radiation image capturing apparatus The display unit to display the display target image on the display unit, and when the display request is made, the display unit displays the radiation image other than the display target image indicated by the image data stored in the storage medium on the display unit; There is provided a radiation imaging system including: a control device having a display control unit that corrects a display target image indicated by image data generated by a radiation detection panel using a correction image.

  According to the disclosed technique, the display control unit can display the display target image indicated by the image data generated by the first radiation detection panel from the image portion corresponding to the overlap portion except the image portion corresponding to the overlap portion. There is also provided a radiation image capturing system which causes the display unit to display an image portion corresponding to the overlapping portion before correcting the image portion corresponding to the overlapping portion using the correction image.

  According to the disclosed technology, the above-described radiation image capturing apparatus, a storage medium for storing image data of at least a radiation image other than the display target image among a plurality of radiation images, and image data shown by image data received from the radiation image capturing apparatus The display unit to display the display target image on the display unit, and when the display request is made, the display unit displays the radiation image other than the display target image indicated by the image data stored in the storage medium on the display unit And a control device having a display control unit that corrects the correction image using the correction image.

  According to the disclosed technique, the radiation image capturing apparatus and the display target image indicated by the image data received from the radiation image capturing apparatus are displayed on the display unit, and the display object stored in the storage medium when there is a display request Control that has a display control unit that requests the radiation image capturing apparatus to transmit image data of radiation images other than images and displays a radiation image other than the display target image indicated by the image data received from the radiation image capturing apparatus on the display unit And a radiation imaging system including the apparatus.

  According to the disclosed technique, the radiation image capturing system causes the display control unit to display the plurality of display target images in the order of reception when the image data of the plurality of display target images are transmitted from the radiation image capturing apparatus. Provided.

  According to the disclosed technology, the display control unit performs shape recognition based on the display target image indicated by the image data received from the radiation image photographing apparatus, and each pixel of the display object image indicated by the image data received from the radiation image photographing apparatus A radiation imaging system is provided that issues a display request based on the value.

  According to the disclosed technology, a radiation imaging system is provided that erases image data of a display target image from a storage medium after the control device receives the image data of the display target image.

  According to the disclosed technology, a radiation imaging system is provided that erases image data stored in a storage medium based on an instruction from a control device.

  According to the disclosed technique, when displaying an image generated by a part of the radiation detection panels among the plurality of radiation detection panels juxtaposed in the direction intersecting the incident direction of the radiation on the display unit of the external device, It is possible to shorten the waiting time until the image display in the external device while reducing the risk of re-shooting as compared with the conventional case.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a radiation imaging system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a radiation imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the electric composition of the radiation detection panel concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning on the radiation detection panel of the pixel for irradiation detection which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the radiographic imaging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the imaging | photography unit control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the detailed composition of the console concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the radiation irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the imaging | photography preparation process implemented by running the imaging | photography preparation program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the imaging | photography control processing implemented by running the imaging | photography control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the display object image designation process implemented by running the display object image designation program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing implemented by running the transmission control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of display control processing implemented by running a display control program concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the radiographic image produced | generated by the radiographic imaging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the flow of processing of the whole radiation imaging system concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing implemented by running the transmission control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of display control processing implemented by running a display control program concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing implemented by running the transmission control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the transmission control processing which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing implemented by running the transmission control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the transmission control processing which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the luminance distribution of the radiographic image which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing implemented by running the transmission control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the transmission control processing which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of display control processing implemented by running a display control program concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a typical block diagram of the radiation detection panel 20 and the signal processing part which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing implemented by running the transmission control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the transmission control processing which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of display control processing implemented by running a display control program concerning an embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings, the same reference numeral is given to the same component.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a radiation imaging system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The radiation imaging system 100 includes a radiation imaging apparatus 10, a console 70, and a radiation irradiation apparatus 90. The radiation imaging device 10 is an example of a radiation imaging device in the present invention, and the console 70 is an example of a control device in the present invention.

  The radiation irradiation apparatus 90 has a function of irradiating X-rays toward the subject O in accordance with the X-ray irradiation conditions (tube voltage, tube current and irradiation time) notified from the console 70. The radiation image capturing apparatus 10 has a function of generating a radiation image according to the dose distribution of the X-ray that has passed through the subject O and reached the imaging surface 10S, and transmits the generated radiation image to the console 70. The console 70 has a function of controlling the radiation irradiating apparatus 90 and the radiation imaging apparatus 10 in an integrated manner and displaying a radiation image transmitted from the radiation imaging apparatus 10. The console 70 and the radiation imaging device 10, and the console 70 and the radiation irradiating device 90 transmit and receive image data and control signals via the communication cables 110 and 111, respectively. The communication between the console 70 and the radiation imaging apparatus 10 and the communication between the console 70 and the radiation irradiator 90 may be wirelessly performed. In this case, the communication cables 110 and 111 are unnecessary. It becomes.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the radiation imaging device 10. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the radiation imaging device 10 includes a housing 12 and three imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C housed inside the housing 12. The imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C have the same configuration, and include radiation detection panels 20A, 20B, and 20C configured by laminating the TFT substrate 21, the photoelectric conversion layer 22, and the scintillator 23, respectively. There is. In addition, in FIG. 2, illustration is abbreviate | omitted about components (The gate line drive part 41, the signal processing part 42, imaging unit control part 50 grade | etc., Shown in FIG. 5) other than radiation detection panel 20A, 20B and 20C. doing. Radiation detection panels 20A, 20B and 20C are examples of radiation detection panels in the present invention. In the following, when the imaging units 11A, 11B and 11C are not distinguished from one another or collectively referred to, they are referred to as the imaging unit 11. In addition, when the radiation detection panels 20A, 20B and 20C are not distinguished from one another or collectively referred to, they are referred to as a radiation detection panel 20.

  The scintillator 23 includes a phosphor that absorbs radiation and emits visible light. When X-rays are used as radiation, the phosphor used for the scintillator 23 preferably contains cesium iodide (CsI), and CsI (Tl) (thallium added with an emission spectrum at 400 nm to 700 nm at the time of X-ray irradiation) It is particularly preferred to use the

  The photoelectric conversion layer 22 is provided between the scintillator 23 and the TFT substrate 21 and is made of an organic photoelectric conversion material that generates a charge by absorbing the light emitted by the scintillator 23. The photoelectric conversion layer 22 containing the organic photoelectric conversion material has a sharp absorption spectrum in the visible region, and electromagnetic waves other than visible light emitted from the scintillator 23 are hardly absorbed by the photoelectric conversion layer 22. Therefore, noise generated by absorption of radiation such as X-rays in the photoelectric conversion layer 22 can be effectively suppressed. The organic photoelectric conversion material constituting the photoelectric conversion layer 22 preferably has an absorption peak wavelength closer to the emission peak wavelength of the scintillator 23. As an organic photoelectric conversion material which can satisfy such conditions, a quinacridone organic compound and a phthalocyanine organic compound are mentioned, for example. Although not shown, electrodes are provided so as to sandwich the photoelectric conversion layer 22 therebetween, and a bias voltage is applied to the photoelectric conversion layer 22 through the electrodes at the time of photographing. Further, the electrodes on the TFT substrate 21 side are divided in a matrix corresponding to a plurality of pixels.

  The TFT substrate 21 includes a glass substrate provided with a switching element (a TFT 34 shown in FIG. 3) for reading out the charge generated in the photoelectric conversion layer 22.

In the radiation detection panels 20A, 20B and 20C, the peripheral end of the TFT substrate 21 is made into the insensitive areas R _AX , R _BX and R _CX in which the photoelectric conversion layer 22 and the scintillator 23 are not laminated, and the insensitive area R _AX , R _BX and the inner side adjacent to R _CX (center side of the radiation detection panel 20) are taken as imaging regions R _A , R _B and R _C in which the photoelectric conversion layer 22 and the scintillator 23 are stacked. It is possible to generate a radiation image in the imaging regions R _A , R _B and R _C.

In the radiographic imaging device 10, the radiation detection panels 20A, 20B and 20C are juxtaposed in a direction intersecting the incident direction of X-rays. More specifically, the one end portion of the imaging region R _A in the radiation detection panel 20A, and one end of the imaging region R _B in the radiation detection panel 20B is overlapped with each other in the irradiation direction of the X-ray photographing region one end of the shooting at the other end and the radiation detection panel 20C of R _B region R _C are stacked with each other in the irradiation direction of the X-ray. The radiation detection panel 20B disposed at the center is disposed downstream of the radiation detection panels 20A and 20C at both ends in the X-ray irradiation direction. As described above, in the radiation imaging device 10, by connecting the three radiation detection panels 20A, 20B and 20C, a long imaging region is formed. In the radiation detection panels adjacent to each other, the continuity of the imaging area can be secured by overlapping the ends of the imaging area. That is, even when the relative positions of the radiation detection panels 20A, 20B and 20C change due to manufacturing variations, shocks, vibrations, ambient temperature fluctuations, etc., discontinuous portions of the imaging area (ie, missing parts of the image) Can be prevented. In addition, even when X-rays enter the imaging surface 10S in an oblique direction, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of discontinuous portions in the imaging region.

  The radiation image capturing apparatus 10 employs a so-called surface reading method (ISS: Irradiation Side Sampling) in which the photoelectric conversion layer 22 is disposed on the X-ray incident side. Compared with the case where the so-called back side reading method (PSS: Pentration Side Sampling) in which the scintillator 23 is disposed on the X ray incident side by adopting the front side reading method, the strong light emission position and photoelectric conversion in the scintillator 23 The distance between the layer 22 can be shortened, as a result of which the resolution of the radiation image can be increased. The radiation image capturing apparatus 10 may adopt the back side reading method, or may be configured to include each of them.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the radiation detection panel 20. As shown in FIG. The radiation detection panel 20 not only has a function of generating a radiation image, but also has an irradiation detection function of detecting the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation. In order to realize the above-mentioned irradiation detection function, in addition to the plurality of imaging pixels 31 for imaging a radiation image, the radiation detection panel 20 includes a plurality of irradiation detection pixels for detecting the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation. It has 32.

  Each of the imaging pixels 31 includes a sensor 310 for radiographic imaging configured to include the photoelectric conversion layer 22, and a TFT 34 as a switching element turned on when reading out the charge generated by the sensor 310. It is. The imaging pixels 31 are two-dimensionally arranged in rows and columns on the entire surface of the TFT substrate 21.

  The radiation detection panel 20 is extended in a fixed direction (row direction) along the arrangement of the imaging pixels 31, and has a plurality of gate lines 35 for supplying gate signals for turning on / off the respective TFTs 34 to the respective TFTs 34. . Further, the radiation detection panel 20 is extended in a direction (column direction) intersecting the extension direction of the gate line 35, and a plurality of signal lines 36 for reading out the charge generated by the sensor 310 via the TFT 34 in the on state. , Is provided. Each of the imaging pixels 31 is provided corresponding to each intersection of the gate line 35 and the signal line 36.

  The irradiation detection pixel 32 is configured by the irradiation detection sensor 320 configured to include the photoelectric conversion layer 22. The sensor 320 for detecting radiation is directly connected to the signal line 36, and the charge generated by the sensor 320 flows through the signal line 36 as it is. The sensors 320 for detecting irradiation are distributed over the entire area of the TFT substrate 21. In the present embodiment, the number of sensors 320 for radiation detection is smaller than the number of sensors 310 for radiographic imaging. That is, the irradiation detection pixels 32 are formed at a lower density than the imaging pixels 31 on the TFT substrate 21. A bias voltage is supplied to the sensor 310 for radiographic imaging and the sensor 320 for irradiation detection via a bias line (not shown), and both output a detection signal having a magnitude corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation. The sizes of the sensor 310 for radiographic imaging and the sensor 320 for irradiation detection may be the same as or different from each other. In the present embodiment, although the irradiation detection pixel 32 is used as a means for detecting the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, other means exemplified below It is also possible to use

(1) A pixel arbitrarily selected from the imaging pixels 31 may be made to function exclusively as a pixel for detecting the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation (irradiation detection pixel). In this case, the source and drain of the TFT 34 of the imaging pixel 31 functioning as an irradiation detection pixel may be shorted (short pixel system).

(2) Bias current detection means for detecting a bias current flowing in each of the sensors 310 with application of a bias voltage to each of the sensors 310 for radiographic imaging is provided, and the magnitude of the bias current detected by the bias current detection means The presence or absence of the X-ray irradiation may be detected based on the distance.

(3) An additional TFT may be provided in a pixel selected from among the imaging pixels 31, and the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation may be detected based on the leak current of the additionally provided TFT.

(4) The magnitude of the current flowing from the gate line driving unit 41 to each gate line 35 may be detected, and the presence or absence of the X-ray irradiation may be detected based on the magnitude of the detected current.

(5) The sensor for detecting the presence or absence of radiation irradiation may be provided in a layer different from the layer in the radiation detection panel 20 where the imaging pixel 31 is provided. In addition, a sensor that detects the presence or absence of radiation irradiation may be provided separately from the radiation detection panel 20.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the arrangement of the radiation detection pixels 32 on the radiation detection panel 20. As shown in FIG. The irradiation detection pixels 32 are connected to each of the signal lines 36, and the irradiation detection pixels 32 are disposed so as to be uniformly dispersed in the radiation detection panel 20. Although FIG. 4 shows a case where one irradiation detection pixel 32 is connected to one signal line 36, a plurality of irradiation detection pixels 32 adjacent in the extending direction of the signal line 36 is one. It may be connected to the signal line 36. In this case, charges generated by the plurality of irradiation detection pixels 32 connected to the same signal line 36 are added by merging on the signal line 36. In the present embodiment, the irradiation detection pixels 32 are provided on the TFT substrate 21 together with the imaging pixels 31, but the irradiation detection pixels 32 may be provided in a layer different from the imaging pixels 31. .

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the entire radiographic imaging device 10 configured to include three imaging units 11A, 11B and 11C. The imaging unit 11A includes a gate line driving unit 41 disposed along one of two adjacent sides of the radiation detection panel 20A, and a signal processing unit 42 disposed along the other side. Each of the gate lines 35 is connected to the gate line drive unit 41, and each of the signal lines 36 is connected to the signal processing unit 42. Further, the photographing unit 11A includes an image memory 43, a communication unit 44, a power supply unit 45, and a photographing unit control unit 50. Since the imaging units 11B and 11C have the same configuration as the imaging unit 11A, redundant description of the imaging units 11B and 11C will be omitted.

  In the radiation detection panels 20A, 20B and 20C, the TFTs 34 constituting the imaging pixels 31 are turned on row by row by the gate signal supplied from the gate line driving unit 41 via the gate line 35 (FIG. 3, See Figure 5). When the TFT 34 is turned on, the electric charge generated by the imaging sensor 310 is read out to each signal line 36 as an electric signal and transmitted to the signal processing unit 42 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). On the other hand, the charges generated by the irradiation detection sensor 320 constituting the irradiation detection pixel 32 flow out to the signal line 36 regardless of the gate signal from the gate line drive unit 41 and are transmitted to the signal processing unit 42 (see FIG. 3, see Figure 5).

  The signal processing unit 42 includes an amplifier and a sample hold circuit (not shown) provided for each signal line 36. The charge signals transmitted to the individual signal lines 36 are amplified by the amplifier in the signal processing unit 42 and then held by the sample and hold circuit. Further, a multiplexer and an A / D (analog / digital) converter (not shown) are sequentially connected to the output side of the sample and hold circuit. The charge signals held by the individual sample and hold circuits are sequentially input to the multiplexer, converted into digital signals by the A / D converter, and supplied to the imaging unit control unit 50. The imaging unit control unit 50 generates, as image data, data in which the digital signal generated by the A / D converter is associated with the position information of the imaging pixel 31.

  An image memory 43 is connected to the photographing unit control unit 50, and the image data generated by the photographing unit control unit 50 is stored in the image memory 43. The image memory 43 has a storage capacity capable of storing image data for a plurality of frames, and image data obtained by imaging is sequentially stored in the image memory 43 each time a radiographic image is captured. The image memory 43 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is an example of a storage medium in the present invention. Further, in the present embodiment, the image memory 43 is built in the imaging unit 11, but the image memory 43 may be detachable from the imaging unit 11.

  The communication unit 44 controls communication performed between the other imaging unit 11 and the console 70 which are external devices. The imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C are communicably connected to each other by a communication wire 46 connected to the communication unit 44. Thereby, various information is shared in the imaging units 11A, 11B and 11C. Furthermore, the operations can be synchronized among the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C. The communication units 44 of the respective photographing units 11A, 11B and 11C are connected to the communication terminal 47 via the communication wiring 46, respectively. One end of the communication cable 110 is connected to the communication terminal 47, and the other end of the communication cable 110 is connected to the console 70. The imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C transmit and receive image data and control signals with the console 70 via the communication cable 110.

  The power supply unit 45 supplies power to each component of the imaging unit 11 (the radiation detection panel 20, the imaging unit control unit 50, the gate line drive unit 41, the signal processing unit 42, the image memory 43, and the communication unit 44). In FIG. 5, illustration of power supply lines for connecting the power supply unit 45 and various circuits is omitted. In the present embodiment, each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C includes the power supply unit 45. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The radiation image imaging apparatus 10 is provided with at least one power supply unit. It should be done.

  The photographing unit control unit 50 is connected to the gate line driving unit 41, the signal processing unit 42, the image memory 43, and the communication unit 44, and includes a microcomputer that centrally controls these operations. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the photographing unit control unit 50. As shown in FIG. The imaging unit control unit 50 is configured to include a central processing unit (CPU) 51, a random access memory (RAM) 52, a read only memory (ROM) 53, and a bus 54 which interconnects these. The ROM 53 stores a photographing control program 55, a display target image designation program 56, and a transmission control program 57, which will be described later.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the console 70 constituting the radiation imaging system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The console 70 is configured as a computer. The console 70 is configured to include an operation menu, a display unit 71 that displays a radiograph taken, etc., and a plurality of keys, and includes an operation input unit 72 that can input various information and operation instructions. The operation input unit 72 may have a form of a keyboard as an example, or may have a form of a touch panel integrated with the display unit 71. In addition, the operation input unit 72 may be configured to include a camera, and may have a form for inputting an operation instruction by causing the camera to recognize a gesture of the operator. The console 70 also includes a CPU 73, a RAM 74, an HDD (Hard disk drive) 75 and a ROM 76. The console 70 also includes a display drive unit 77 that controls display of various information on the display unit 71, and an operation input detection unit 78 that detects an operation input to the operation input unit 72. The console 70 also includes a communication unit 79 that controls communication between the radiation imaging apparatus 10 and the radiation irradiation apparatus 90. The communication unit 79 is connected to the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 through the communication terminal 80 and the communication cable 110, and is connected to the radiation irradiating apparatus 90 through the communication terminal 80 and the communication cable 111. The CPU 73, the RAM 74, the ROM 76, the HDD 75, the display drive unit 77, the operation input detection unit 78, and the communication unit 79 are mutually connected via the bus 81. The ROM 76 stores a photographing preparation program 82 and a display control program 83 which will be described later.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a radiation irradiation apparatus 90 constituting the radiation imaging system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The radiation irradiating apparatus 90 receives from the console 70 via the communication cable 111 a communication unit 92 that controls communication between the radiation source 91 generating X-rays and the console 70 performed via the communication cable 111. And a radiation source control unit 93 configured to control the radiation source 91 based on the X-ray irradiation condition. The communication unit 92 is connected to the console 70 via the communication terminal 94 and the communication cable 111. The radiation source control unit 93 is configured to include a microcomputer, and stores the X-ray irradiation conditions and the like transmitted from the console 70. The X-ray irradiation conditions transmitted from the console 70 include information such as a tube voltage, a tube current, and an irradiation time. Note that the radiation irradiation apparatus 90 is an operation input unit for the user to manually set X-ray irradiation conditions such as the tube voltage, the tube current, and the irradiation time directly to the radiation irradiation apparatus 90, or the set X-rays. A display unit may be provided to display irradiation conditions and the like. Further, the radiation irradiator 90 transmits, to the console 70, information indicating that the setting has been made manually, the setting value set by the manual setting, and the current status (standby state, preparation state, exposure, exposure completed).

(Shooting preparation process)
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a flow of imaging preparation processing that is executed by the CPU 73 of the console 70 executing the imaging preparation program 82 stored in the ROM 76. The shooting preparation program 82 is started, for example, when the user instructs start of shooting preparation via the operation input unit 72.

  In step S11, the CPU 73 controls the display drive unit 77 to display the subject information input screen on the display unit 71. In the subject information input screen, there is a message prompting input of gender, age, height, weight, body thickness, shooting target site, posture at the time of shooting, X-ray irradiation condition etc. Is displayed. In step S12, the CPU 73 waits for input of subject information. When subject information is input through the operation input unit 72, an affirmative determination is made in step S12, and the process proceeds to the next step S13.

  In step S13, the CPU 73 transmits the input subject information to the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 through the communication unit 79. In step S14, the CPU 73 transmits the X-ray irradiation condition input in step S12 to the radiation irradiation apparatus 90 through the communication unit 79. The radiation source control unit 93 of the radiation irradiation apparatus 90 prepares X-ray irradiation to perform X-ray irradiation under the X-ray irradiation conditions received through the communication unit 92.

  Thereafter, when an operation switch (not shown) for performing X-ray irradiation is operated, the radiation source 91 of the radiation irradiator 90 receives a tube voltage, a tube according to the X-ray radiation conditions received from the console 70 X-rays are emitted at current and irradiation time. The X-rays emitted from the radiation irradiating device 90 pass through the subject O and are irradiated to the radiation imaging device 10.

(Shooting control process)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of photographing control processing implemented by the CPU 51 configuring the photographing unit control unit 50 of each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C executing the photographing control program 55 stored in the ROM 53. is there. The imaging control program 55 is started, for example, by receiving a control signal instructing start of X-ray irradiation transmitted from the console 70 in step S15 of the above-described imaging preparation process.

  In step S21, the CPU 51 of the imaging unit control unit 50 of each imaging unit 11 (imaging units 11A, 11B and 11C) determines whether or not the X-ray irradiated from the radiation irradiation device 90 is detected. That is, when the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 reaches a predetermined threshold, the X-ray dose indicated by the amount of charge generated by the irradiation detection pixels 32 provided in the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to itself It is determined that X-rays have been detected.

  Here, when a radiographic image is taken using a part of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C, X-rays are usually emitted only to a part of the imaging units 11 used for imaging, The X-ray is not irradiated to the imaging unit 11 which is not used. Therefore, when imaging a radiation image using a part of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C, only the imaging unit 11 used for imaging detects X-rays. If the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 determines that an X-ray has been detected in step S21, the process proceeds to step S22. If the X-ray is not detected, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S22, the CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11 that has detected the X-ray transmits an X-ray detection signal indicating that the X-ray has been detected, to the other imaging unit 11 via the communication unit 44 and the communication wiring 46. Then, the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, in step S23, the imaging unit 11 that does not detect X-rays waits for reception of X-ray detection signals from other imaging units. When the imaging unit 11 that does not detect X-rays receives an X-ray detection signal from another imaging unit 11, the process proceeds to step S24, and when it does not receive an X-ray detection signal from another imaging unit 11, the process is performed. It returns to step S21.

  When X-rays are detected in some of the imaging units 11 by the processing in steps S21 to S23 above, detection information indicating that X-rays are detected in some of the imaging units 11 detects X-rays. The other imaging units 11 are not shared.

  In step S24, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 shifts to photographing operation. That is, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 supplies a control signal to the gate line driving unit 41 corresponding to itself to drive all the TFTs 34 of the imaging pixels 31 in the OFF state. As a result, the charge generated by the sensor 310 of each of the imaging pixels 31 with the X-ray irradiation is accumulated in the sensor 310. In step S24, charge accumulation processing is performed in all the imaging units 11 including the imaging unit 11 which does not detect X-rays in step S21 (do not use for imaging). On the other hand, the electric charge generated by the sensor 320 of the irradiation detection pixel 32 is supplied to the signal processing unit 42 through the signal line 36 without being accumulated along with the X-ray irradiation.

  In step S25, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines whether or not a predetermined accumulation time has elapsed since charge accumulation was started in step S24. If it is determined that the predetermined accumulation time has elapsed, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 shifts the process to step S26.

  In step S26, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 supplies a control signal to the gate line driving unit 41 to read out the charge accumulated in the sensor 310 of the imaging pixel 31 of each radiation detection panel 20. The gate line driving unit 41 of each photographing unit 11 that receives the control signal from the CPU 51 sequentially outputs an on signal to each gate line 35, and turns on the TFTs 34 connected to each gate line 35 one by one. As a result, the charge accumulated in the sensor 310 of each photographing pixel 31 is read out to each signal line 36 as an electric signal and transmitted to the signal processing unit 42. The signal processing unit 42 of each imaging unit 11 is a digital signal (pixel value of each imaging pixel 31) indicating the pixel value of each imaging pixel 31 based on the electric signal supplied through each signal line 36. , And supplies the generated digital signal to the CPU 51. In step S26, charge readout processing is performed in all the imaging units 11 including the imaging unit 11 which does not detect X-rays (do not use for imaging) in step S21.

  In step S27, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 converts the digital signal (pixel value of each photographing pixel 31) supplied from the signal processing unit 42 and the position information of the photographing pixel 31 into image data. Generate as. In step S27, image data generation processing is performed in all the imaging units 11 including the imaging unit 11 which does not detect X-rays in step S21 (do not use for imaging).

  In step S28, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 stores the generated image data in the image memory 43 corresponding to itself, and ends this routine. In step S28, storage processing of image data is performed in all the imaging units 11 including the imaging unit 11 which does not detect X-rays in step S21 (do not use for imaging).

  As described above, in the radiographic imaging device 10, even when imaging is performed using some of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C, charge accumulation processing is performed at the same timing for all the imaging units. , Charge readout processing, image data generation processing, and image data storage processing. That is, when the start of irradiation of radiation is detected in any of the imaging units 11 in response to one irradiation of X-rays, each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C detects X-rays by itself. Even if not, a radiation image is generated, and the image data is stored in the image memory 43. For example, when radiation imaging is performed using only the imaging unit 11B, processing for generating a radiation image is performed also in the imaging units 11A and 11C, and the generated radiation image is an image of each imaging unit 11 It is stored in the memory 43.

(Display target image specification process)
The radiation image capturing apparatus 10 displays an image to be displayed on the display unit 71 of the console 70 among the radiation images generated in each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C by the above-described imaging control processing (hereinafter referred to as a display target image). Specify For example, the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 specifies, as a display target image, an image estimated to include a subject image among radiation images generated by each of the image capturing units 11A, 11B, and 11C. For example, when the radiographic imaging device 10 estimates that the image generated by the imaging unit 11B includes the subject image only, the radiographic image capturing device 10 designates only the image generated by the imaging unit 11B as the display target image. To the console 70.

  FIG. 11 shows a flow of display target image specification processing performed by the CPU 51 of the photographing unit control unit 50 of each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C executing the display target image specification program 56 stored in the ROM 53. It is a flowchart. The display target image designation program 56 is started, for example, with the start of the above-described photographing control process (see FIG. 10). That is, the display target image designation program 56 is executed in parallel with the photographing control program 55. The CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that executes the display target image designation program 56 is an example of the designation unit in the present invention.

  In step S <b> 31, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 obtains the pixel value of each of the irradiation detection pixels 32 from the signal processing unit 42. Electric signals generated by the electric charges generated by the sensors 320 of the irradiation detection pixels 32 of the imaging units 11 are supplied to the signal processing unit 42 through the signal lines 36 in accordance with the X-ray irradiation. The signal processing unit 42 of each photographing unit 11 generates a digital signal indicating the pixel value of each of the irradiation detection pixels 32 based on the electric signal supplied through each of the signal lines 36, and supplies this to the CPU 51. Do. Note that this step S31 is performed prior to step S26 (charge readout) in the above-described imaging control process (see FIG. 10).

  This step S31 is processing for detecting the presence or absence of the X-ray irradiation on the radiation detection panel 20. In the present embodiment, the irradiation detection pixels 32 are used to detect the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation on the radiation detection panel 20, but as described above, the irradiation detection pixels 32 may be formed by other means. It is possible to substitute, and it is also possible to detect the presence or absence of the irradiation of the X-ray on the radiation detection panel 20 by the alternative means.

  For example, instead of the irradiation detection pixel 32, when a pixel arbitrarily selected from the imaging pixels 31 is exclusively used as a pixel (short pixel) for detecting the presence or absence of the X-ray irradiation (the above In the case of 1), in step S31, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 acquires from the signal processing unit 42 the pixel value of the pixel (short pixel) exclusively for detecting the presence or absence of the X-ray irradiation. Thus, the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation on the radiation detection panel 20 is detected.

  In addition, a bias current detection unit for detecting a bias current flowing through each of the sensors 310 is provided, and a method of detecting the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation based on the magnitude of the bias current detected by the bias current detection unit Case) is used, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 acquires information indicating the magnitude of the bias current from the bias current detection means in step S31, thereby enabling X on the radiation detection panel 20 to be obtained. Detect the presence or absence of irradiation of the line.

  Further, an additional TFT is provided in a pixel selected from among the imaging pixels 31, and the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation is detected based on the leak current of the additionally provided TFT (in the case of (3) above) ) Is used, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 acquires information indicating the magnitude of the leak current of the additional TFT in step S31, whereby the X-ray irradiation on the radiation detection panel 20 is performed. Detect the presence or absence.

  Also, a method (in the case of (4) above) of detecting the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation based on the magnitude of the detected current is detected by detecting the magnitude of the current flowing from the gate line driver 41 to each gate line 35. When used, in step S31, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 obtains the information indicating the magnitude of the current flowing through each gate line 35, thereby the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation on the radiation detection panel 20. To detect

  In addition, a method of providing a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of radiation irradiation in a layer different from the layer provided with the imaging pixels 31 in the radiation detection panel 20 and a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of radiation irradiation In the case of using the method (in the case of the above (5)) provided separately from the panel 20, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 is a sensor provided in a layer different from the layer in which the photographing pixels 31 are provided. The presence or absence of the X-ray irradiation on the radiation detection panel 20 is detected based on the output value of the sensor or the output value (pixel value) of a sensor provided separately from the radiation detection panel 20.

  In step S32, whether or not the subject is disposed on the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 based on the pixel value of each of the irradiation detection pixels 32 acquired in step S31. Determine For example, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 corresponds to itself when it determines that the proportion of pixels outputting pixel values exceeding the predetermined threshold among the plurality of irradiation detection pixels 32 is equal to or higher than the predetermined value. It is determined that the subject is disposed on the radiation detection panel 20.

  For example, when radiation imaging is performed using only the imaging unit 11B, X-rays are not generally emitted to the imaging units 11A and 11C that are not used for imaging. In this case, a noticeable difference appears between the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 of the imaging unit 11B used for imaging and the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 of the imaging units 11A and 11C not used for imaging. The presence or absence of the subject can be determined by the above-described determination. Here, the X-rays irradiated to the subject placed on the imaging unit 11B may be scattered, and the X-rays may also be incident on the imaging units 11A and 11C not used for imaging. In this case, scattered radiation is detected in the imaging units 11A and 11C, and there is a possibility that an erroneous determination may be made if the subject is disposed on the radiation detection panels 20A and 20C. Therefore, in order to prevent such an erroneous determination, it is preferable to set the threshold value for the pixel value appropriately. Since the dose of scattered radiation is very small, it is possible to eliminate the effects of scattered radiation by setting the threshold for the pixel value appropriately.

  In addition, since the plurality of radiation detection pixels 32 are uniformly provided on the radiation detection panel 20 of each imaging unit 11, a simple radiation image can be obtained based on the pixel values of the radiation detection pixels 32. It is possible to generate. Therefore, does the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 arrange a subject on the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to itself by analyzing a simple radiation image generated based on the pixel value of each irradiation detection pixel 32? It may be determined whether or not. Here, the continuous region with a relatively small X-ray irradiation dose on the radiation detection panel 20 is highly likely to be a region transmitted through the subject and irradiated with X-rays. Therefore, as an example, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 detects a region where the X-ray dose is relatively large and a continuous region where the X-ray dose is relatively small, based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 When it is determined, it may be determined that the subject is disposed on the radiation detection panel 20. Also in this case, in order to eliminate the influence of the scattered radiation, it is preferable to specify in advance the pattern of the image generated by the scattered radiation so that the pattern of the image by the scattered radiation can be distinguished from the subject image.

  In addition, when the alternative means of the pixel 32 for irradiation detections mentioned above is used, based on the information acquired by using alternative means, it is whether the to-be-photographed object is arrange | positioned on the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to self. Determine

  If the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 determines that the subject is disposed on the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to itself as a result of the determination processing in step S32, the process proceeds to step S33. In step S33, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 designates a radiation image (a radiation image based on the imaging pixel 31) generated by itself in step S27 of the above-described imaging control process (see FIG. 10) as a display target image.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 determines that the subject is not disposed on the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to itself as a result of the determination processing in step S32, the process proceeds to step S34. In step S34, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 designates a radiation image generated by itself in step S27 of the above-described imaging control process (see FIG. 10) as a non-display target image.

  In step S35, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 stores the designation result in step S33 or step S34 in the RAM 52 in association with the radiation image.

  As described above, in each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C, in parallel with the generation of the radiation image based on the pixel value of each imaging pixel 31, the inside of the radiation image based on the pixel value of each irradiation detection pixel 32 The presence or absence of the subject image in is determined. Further, based on the result of the determination of the presence or absence of the subject image, one of the display target image and the non-display target image is designated for the radiation image generated in each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C. As described above, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 generates a radiation image in each imaging unit 11 for one irradiation of radiation and a display target image from among the radiation images generated in each imaging unit 11 Perform the process of specifying in parallel.

  In the present embodiment, the process (step S32) of determining whether or not the subject is disposed on the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to itself based on the pixel value of each of the irradiation detection pixels 32 Although the device 10 is supposed to do this, the console 70 may do this processing. In this case, each imaging unit 11 of the radiation imaging device 10 transmits, to the console 70, data in which the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 is associated with the position information of the irradiation detection pixel 32. The console 70 determines which of the radiation detection panels 20 is disposed on the basis of the data, and transmits the determination result to the radiation imaging device 10. The radiographic imaging device 10 designates the display target image and the non-display target image based on the determination result received from the console 70.

(Transmission control process)
The radiographic imaging device 10 transmits, to the console 70, only the display target image specified by the display target image specification process (see FIG. 11) described above. According to the display target image designation process according to the present embodiment, a plurality of radiation images generated by each of the plurality of imaging units 11 may be designated as the display target image. For example, when it is determined that the subject images are included in the radiation images generated by the two imaging units 11A and 11B, the two radiation images are designated as the display target images. Thus, when a plurality of radiation images are designated as the display target image, the radiation imaging device 10 derives the transmission order for each of the plurality of radiation images designated as the display target image, and the derived transmission order Each of the display target images is transmitted to the console 70 in accordance with.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of transmission control processing implemented by the CPU 51 configuring the imaging unit control unit 50 of each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C executing the transmission control program 57 stored in the ROM 53. is there. The transmission control program 57 is executed by the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11, for example, after the above-mentioned photographing control processing (see FIG. 10) and the display target image designation processing (see FIG. 11). The CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that executes the transmission control program 57 is an example of a transmission unit in the present invention.

  In step S41, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that has generated the display target image determines itself based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 acquired in step S31 of the display target image specification process (see FIG. 11). An estimated value of the area of the subject image included in the corresponding radiation image (display target image) is derived. Here, the continuous region with a relatively small X-ray irradiation dose on the radiation detection panel 20 is highly likely to be a region where the X-rays are transmitted through the subject and irradiated. Therefore, as one example, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 that has generated the display target image identifies a continuous area in which the irradiation dose of X-ray is relatively small based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32, and The area may be derived as an estimated value of the area of the subject image.

  In step S42, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that has generated the display target image transmits the estimated value of the area of the subject image derived in step S41 to the other photographing units 11 via the communication wiring 46. The estimated value of the area of the subject image derived in the other imaging unit 11 is received from the other imaging unit 11 via the communication wiring 46. As a result, the estimated value of the area of the subject image derived in each photographing unit 11 is shared in the other photographing units 11.

  In step S43, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that has generated the display target image compares the estimated value of the area of the subject image derived by itself with the estimated value of the area of the subject image derived in the other photographing units 11. By doing this, the transmission order of the radiation image (display target image) corresponding to itself is derived. That is, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that has generated the display target image transmits the display target image having a larger estimated value of the area of the subject image included in the display target image to the console 70 in advance. Deriving transmission order.

  In step S44, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that has generated the display target image transmits the display target image generated by itself to the console 70 via the communication cable 110, in accordance with the transmission order derived in step S43. . Each of the display target images to be transmitted may be provided with identification information indicating that the images are display target images and the transmission order of the images. An image other than the display target image (non-display target image) is not transmitted to the console 70, and is stored in the image memory 43. Each display target image transmitted to the console 70 is stored in the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 of the console 70.

The flow of the transmission control process described above will be described using a specific example. For example, when the radiation image I _A generated in the imaging unit 11A and the radiation image I _B generated in the imaging unit 11B are designated as the display target image, the area of the subject image included in the radiation image I _B estimate of, consider the case larger than the estimated value of the area of the subject image included in the radiographic image I _a. In this case, the CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11B derives “1” as the transmission order of the radiation image I _B generated by itself. On the other hand, CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11A derives the "2" as the transmission order of the radiation image _{I A} generated by itself.

The CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11B that has generated the radiation image I _B which is the display target image to be transmitted first transmits the radiation image I _B to the console 70. CPU51 of the photographing unit 11B, the radiation image _I other imaging units 11A that it has completed the transmission of _B, and notifies the 11C. Radiation image _I capturing unit 11A receives the notification of completion of transmission of _B, of 11C, the imaging unit 11A which generates a radiation image _{I A} is a display target image to be transmitted to the second CPU51, the radiation image _{I A} Send to the console 70. The radiation image I _C generated by the imaging unit 11 _C is not designated as a display target image, so the radiation image I _C is not transmitted to the console 70 at this stage but is held in the image memory 43.

  As described above, in the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the transmission order of the plurality of display target images generated in the plurality of shooting units 11 to the console 70 is the area of the subject image included in the display target image It derives based on the estimated value of. More specifically, the transmission order of the display target images is derived such that the display target image having a larger estimated value of the area of the subject image included in the display target image is transmitted to the console 70 in advance. Further, the radiation imaging device 10 sequentially transmits a plurality of display target images to the console 70 in the derived order. On the other hand, the radiation imaging device 10 does not transmit an image other than the display target image (non-display target image) to the console 70, and holds the image in the image memory 43.

  According to the transmission control process according to the present embodiment, an image with a higher degree of importance can be transmitted to the console 70 in advance. Further, since an image other than the display target image (non-display target image) is not transmitted to the console 70, the amount of data to be transmitted to the console 70 can be suppressed. As a result, the data transfer time can be shortened as compared with the case where all radiation images generated by each imaging unit 11 are transmitted to the console 70.

  In the present embodiment, a process of deriving an estimated value of the area of the subject image based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 (step S41), and sharing the derived estimated value of the area of the subject image (Step S42) The radiation image capturing apparatus 10 performs the process (Step S43) of deriving the transmission order of radiation images (display target images), but the console 70 may perform each of these processes.

  In this case, each imaging unit 11 of the radiation imaging device 10 transmits, to the console 70, data in which the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 is associated with the position information of the irradiation detection pixel 32. The console 70 derives an estimated value of the area of the subject image based on this data, and derives the transmission order of radiation images based on the derived estimated value. The console 70 transmits information indicating the derived transmission order of radiation images to each imaging unit 11. Each imaging unit 11 transmits the display target image to the console 70 in accordance with the transmission order derived at the console.

(Display control process)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of display control processing implemented by the CPU 73 of the console 70 executing the display control program 83 stored in the ROM 76. The display control program 83 is started, for example, when the console receives the display target image transmitted from the radiation imaging device 10. The CPU 73 of the console 70 that executes the display control program 83 is an example of the display control unit in the present invention.

  In step S51, the CPU 73 of the console 70 controls the display driving unit 77 to cause the display unit 71 to display the display target images for each imaging unit 11 transmitted from the radiation imaging device 10 in the order of reception. That is, on the display unit 71, the display target images are displayed in the transmission order set in the radiation imaging device 10. The CPU 73 of the console may cause the display unit 71 to display the display target images in the order according to the transmission order indicated by the identification information given to each of the display target images.

  In step S52, the CPU 73 of the console 70 analyzes the display target image already displayed on the display unit 71, and needs to display an image (non-display target image) other than the display target image on the display unit 71 in step S53. Determine the presence or absence of

  As described above, the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 determines the presence or absence of a subject image based on the pixel values of the irradiation detection pixels 32 provided on the radiation detection panel 20 of each of the imaging units 11, and includes the subject image. The image determined to be displayed is designated as a display target image. However, the number of pixels of the irradiation detection pixels 32 provided in each radiation detection panel 20 is smaller than the number of pixels of the imaging pixels 31, and in some cases it may not be possible to appropriately determine the presence or absence of a subject image. That is, in the radiation image capturing apparatus 10, it is assumed that the image designated as the display target image does not include the subject image, or the non-display target image includes the subject image. Therefore, the CPU 73 of the console 70 performs image analysis on the display target image transmitted from the radiation imaging device 10, and determines whether the display target image properly includes the subject image. Since the display target image is a high-definition image generated using the imaging pixels 31, it is possible to perform analysis with higher accuracy than analysis using the irradiation detection pixels 32.

  The CPU 73 of the console 70 performs shape recognition based on, for example, the display target image transmitted from the radiation image capturing apparatus 10, and the display target image other than the display target image does not include the shape estimated to be the subject image. It may be determined that it is necessary to display the image (non-display target image) of the image on the display unit 71. In addition, the CPU 73 of the console 70, for example, an image other than the display target image (non-display target image) when the histogram pattern of the pixel values in the display target image transmitted from the radiation imaging device 10 does not satisfy the predetermined condition. May be determined to be displayed on the display unit 71. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 73 of the console 70 has the subject image Z recognized in the display target image I transmitted from the radiation imaging apparatus 10 in contact with the image end E, When it is determined that the non-display target image not transmitted from the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 is also included, it may be determined that the non-display target image needs to be displayed on the display unit 71.

  If the CPU 73 of the console 70 determines in step S53 that it is necessary to display an image other than the display target image (non-display target image) on the display unit 71, the process proceeds to step S54, and is not necessary. If it is determined that this is the case, this routine is ended.

  In step S54, the CPU 73 of the console 70 generates information indicating that an image other than the display target image (non-display target image) needs to be displayed on the display unit 71, and transmits the information to the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 By doing this, transmission of an image other than the display target image (non-display target image) is requested to the radiographic imaging device 10. For example, when the CPU 73 of the console 70 can not recognize the subject image in the display target image transmitted from the radiation imaging device 10, all non-display objects stored in the image memory 43 of the radiation imaging device 10 It may request transmission of the image. Further, the CPU 73 of the console 70 is a non-display target estimated to include a missing portion of the subject image Z when the display target image transmitted from the radiation imaging device 10 is interrupted as shown in FIG. 14. It may request transmission of the image. The radiation imaging device 10 having received the transmission request for the non-display target image from the console 70 reads out the non-display target image relating to the transmission request from the image memory 43 and transmits the image as the console 70.

  In step S55, the CPU 73 of the console 70 waits for reception of the non-display target image, and when receiving the non-display target image, the process proceeds to step S56.

  In step S56, the CPU 73 of the console 70 controls the display driving unit 77 to display the received non-display target image together with the display target image already displayed on the display unit 71. That is, on the display unit 71, a composite image of the image designated as the display target image in the radiation imaging device 10 and the non-display target image transmitted subsequently in response to the request from the console 70 is displayed. . If the CPU 73 of the console 70 can not recognize the subject image in the display target image as a result of the image analysis in step S 52, the non-display target image transmitted subsequently instead of the display target image is displayed on the display unit 71. You may control the display drive part 77 so that it may display.

  As described above, the console 70 causes the display unit 71 to display the display target images received from the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 in the order of reception, and the image memory 43 of the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 according to the display request for the non-display target image. The non-display target image read from the image is displayed on the display unit 71 together with or instead of the display target image.

(System-wide processing)
FIG. 15 is implemented in the above-described imaging control processing (see FIG. 10), display target image designation processing (see FIG. 11), transmission control processing (see FIG. 12) performed in the radiation imaging device 10, and in the console 70. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of processing of the entire system including the above-described photographing preparation processing (see FIG. 9) and display control processing (see FIG. 13).

  First, the imaging preparation process P1 shown in FIG. When a control signal indicating an instruction to start X-ray irradiation is transmitted from the console 70 to the radiographic imaging device 10 in the imaging preparation process P1 (step S15 in FIG. 9), the radiographic imaging device 10 performs imaging control processing P2 The display target image designation process P3 is performed in parallel.

  In the imaging control process P2, each imaging unit 11 generates a radiation image based on the pixel value of the imaging pixel 31, and stores the generated radiation image in the image memory 43 respectively included. Each imaging unit 11 shares detection information indicating that an X-ray has been detected, and starts an operation for generating a radiation image based on the detection information. The respective imaging units 11 perform imaging processing such as charge accumulation and charge readout at the same timing. For example, even in the case where a subject is placed on the imaging unit 11B and imaging of a radiation image is performed using only the imaging unit 11B, not only the imaging unit 11B but also the imaging units 11A and 11C generate radiation images And the generated radiation image is stored in its own image memory 43.

  In the display target image designation process P3, each imaging unit 11 determines whether or not the radiation image generated by itself includes a subject image, based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32. When each imaging unit 11 determines that the radiation image generated by itself includes the subject image, the imaging unit 11 designates the image as a display target image and determines that the radiation image generated by itself does not include the subject image. , The image is specified as a non-display target image.

  After completion of the imaging control processing P2 and the display target image designation processing P3, the transmission control processing P4 is performed in the radiation imaging device 10. In the transmission control process P4, each photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image derives an estimated value of the area of the subject image included in the display target image generated by itself based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32. . Each imaging unit 11 that has generated the display target image derives the transmission order of the display target image so as to transmit the display target image having a larger estimated value of the area of the subject image included in the display target image to the console 70 in advance. The images to be displayed are sequentially transmitted to the console 70 in accordance with the derived transmission order.

  When the display target image transmitted from the radiation imaging device 10 is received by the console 70, the display control process P5 is performed in the console 70. In the display control processing P5, the display target images transmitted from the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 are displayed in the order of reception on the display unit 71 of the console 70. Further, the image analysis of the display target image is performed in the console 70, and it is necessary to display the non-display target image on the display unit 71 according to the determination result as to whether the display target image properly includes the subject image. Is determined. When the console 70 determines that the non-display target image needs to be displayed on the display unit 71, the console 70 requests the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 to transmit the non-display target image. The radiation imaging device 10 having received the transmission request for the non-display target image from the console 70 reads out the non-display target image relating to the transmission request from the image memory 43 and transmits the image as the console 70. The console 70 replaces the non-display target image transmitted subsequently from the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 with the display target image already displayed on the display unit 71 or to the display target image already displayed on the display unit 71. Display on the display unit 71.

  As apparent from the above description, in the radiation imaging system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is estimated that the radiation image generated by each of the plurality of imaging units 11A, 11B and 11C includes the subject image. Only the image to be displayed is designated as the image to be displayed and transmitted to the console 70. As described above, by carefully selecting the images to be transmitted to the console 70, the amount of data to be transmitted to the console 70 can be suppressed, whereby all the radiographic images generated by each imaging unit 11 can be displayed on the console 70. The data transfer time can be shortened compared to the case of transmission to the Therefore, it is possible to shorten the waiting time until the image display on the display unit 71 of the console 70 as compared with the prior art.

  In addition, since the transmission order of the display target images is determined according to the estimated value of the area of the subject included in the display target images generated by the respective photographing units 11, the display unit 71 of the console 70 quickly displays images with higher importance. Can be displayed.

  Further, the designation process of the display target image and the derivation process of the transmission order of the display subject image performed in the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 are performed using the irradiation detection pixel 32 whose number of pixels is smaller than that of the imaging pixel 31. Therefore, each of the above processes can be performed in a relatively short time. Therefore, the influence on the display waiting time by the designation process of the display target image and the derivation process of the transmission order of the display target image is limited.

  When the display target image is analyzed in the console 70 and it is determined that the radiation image photographing apparatus 10 needs to display the image designated as the non-display target image, the radiation image photographing apparatus 10 is determined. A transmission request for non-display target image is made. The radiation image generated in each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C is stored in the image memory 43 regardless of whether the image is a display target image or not even after transmitting the display target image to the console 70. It is held in the image memory 43. Therefore, when there is a transmission request for the non-display target image from the console 70, the radiation imaging device 10 can transmit the non-display target image to the console 70 in response to the transmission request. As described above, in the radiographic imaging system 100, even when the designation of the display target image in the radiographic imaging device 10 is not appropriate, the non-display target image can be displayed, so the risk of re-imaging is avoided. be able to.

  In addition, each imaging unit 11A, 11B, 11C is assumed to be used because it starts imaging operations all at once by sharing detection information indicating that X-rays generated in any of the imaging units have been detected. A radiation image can be generated also in the imaging unit 11 which is not performing. Thereby, even when the subject image is included in the radiation image generated by the imaging unit 11 which was not supposed to be used at first, the subject image can be displayed. According to the radiation imaging device 10 relating to the embodiment of the present invention, the risk of re-imaging can be avoided from such a viewpoint as well. In addition, the user can set the arrangement of the subject with respect to the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 without considering the boundaries between the image capturing units 11A, 11B, and 11C.

  As described above, according to the radiation imaging system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the waiting time until the image display in the external apparatus while reducing the risk of re-imaging as compared with the related art.

  In the present embodiment, even after transmitting the display target image to the console 70, the corresponding radiation image (display target image or non-display target image) is stored in each of the image memories 43 of the imaging units 11A, 11B and 11C. Although it was supposed to hold, it is not limited to this aspect. For example, after transmitting the display target image to the console 70 (after the console 70 receives the display target image), only the non-display target image may be held in the image memory 43. That is, after the display target image is transmitted to the console 70 (after the console 70 receives the display target image), the display target image may be deleted from the image memory 43. Thereby, the storage area of the image memory 43 can be secured.

  Further, from the viewpoint of securing a storage area of the image memory 43 of each photographing unit 11, it is preferable to delete the image stored in the image memory 43 as appropriate. Image deletion from the image memory 43 may be performed, for example, at the following timing. (1) Before the next X-ray irradiation is performed, (2) after completion of imaging of the same patient, (3) after the user operating the console 70 determines an image to be used for diagnosis, (4) radiation image After the image generated by the imaging device 10 is transmitted to a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) connected to the radiation imaging system 100 via a network, (5) the doctor's diagnosis is completed and the electronic medical record etc. (6) After the user operating the console 70 instructs the image deletion by operating the operation input unit 72 after the input to the () is completed.

  In any case, an instruction to delete the image is transmitted from the console 70 to the radiation imaging apparatus 10. The radiographic imaging device 10 erases all or part of the image from the image memory 43 based on the above instruction. Alternatively, the user may directly or manually operate the radiation imaging apparatus 10 to delete all or part of the images stored in the image memory 43.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 16 shows a second embodiment of the present invention implemented by executing the transmission control program 57 stored in the ROM 53 by the CPU 51 configuring the imaging unit control unit 50 of each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing which concerns.

  The processes of steps S61 to S63 in the transmission control process according to the second embodiment are the same as the processes of steps S41 to S43 in the transmission control process (see FIG. 12) according to the first embodiment described above, The explanation is omitted.

  The CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image in step S64 transmits the display target image generated by itself to the console 70 via the communication cable 110, in accordance with the transmission order derived in step S63. Identification information indicating that the images are display target images and the transmission order of the images is given to each of the display target images to be transmitted. In step S65, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines whether or not there is a non-display target image. If the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines that the non-display target image is present, the process proceeds to step S66, and if it is determined that the non-display target image is not present, this routine is ended.

  In step S 66, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that has generated the non-display target image transmits the non-display target image generated by itself to the console 70 via the communication cable 110. Identification information indicating that the image is a non-display target image is added to the transmitted non-display image. The display target image and the non-display target image transmitted to the console 70 are stored in the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 of the console 70. The RAM 74 or the HDD 75 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is an example of the storage medium in the present invention.

  Thus, in the transmission control process according to the second embodiment, all radiation images generated in each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C are images to be displayed or non-displayed. Is sent to the console 70. Since the display target image is sent prior to the non-display target image, the console 70 receives the display target image prior to the non-display target image.

  In the present embodiment, the process of deriving the estimated value of the area of the subject image based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 (step S61), the estimated value of the area of the derived subject image Although the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 performs processing (step S63) for sharing (step S62) and deriving the transmission order of radiation images (display target images) in step S62, the console 70 performs each of these processings. Good.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of display control processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention which is executed by the CPU 73 of the console 70 executing the display control program 83 stored in the ROM 76.

  The processes of steps S71 to S73 in the display control process according to the second embodiment are the same as the processes of steps S51 to S53 in the display control process (see FIG. 13) according to the first embodiment described above, The explanation is omitted. In step S 71, the CPU 73 of the console reads the display target image from the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 and displays the image on the display unit 71. In this case, the display target image may be identified by referring to the identification information attached to the display target image.

  In step S 74, the CPU 73 of the console 70 reads the non-display target image transmitted from the radiation imaging device 10 and stored in the RAM 74 or the HDD 75. In this case, the non-display target image may be identified by referring to the identification information attached to the non-display target image.

  In step S75, the CPU 73 of the console 70 controls the display drive unit 77 to display the non-display target image read from the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 together with the display target image already displayed on the display unit 71. That is, on the display unit 71, a composite image of the image designated as the display target image in the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 and the non-display target image is displayed. When the CPU 73 of the console 70 can not recognize the subject image in the display target image as a result of the image analysis in step S72, the non-display target image read from the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 instead of the display target image is displayed on the display unit 71. You may control the display drive part 77 so that it may display.

  As described above, in the radiation imaging system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, all of the radiation images generated in each of the imaging units 11A, 11B and 11C are transmitted to the console 70. Of the radiation images generated in each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C, the image designated as the display target image is sent to the console 70 prior to the non-display target image, and is displayed on the display unit 71 of the console 70. Is displayed. Therefore, according to the radiation imaging system 100 according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to shorten the waiting time until the image display as compared with the related art.

  Further, since the non-display target image can be displayed even when the designation of the display target image in the radiation imaging device 10 is not appropriate, the risk of re-imaging can be avoided.

  According to the radiation imaging system 100 according to the second embodiment, the non-display target image is held in the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 of the console 70, so it is determined that the non-display target image needs to be displayed. The time until the target image is displayed on the display unit 71 can be shortened as compared with the first embodiment. In the radiation imaging system 100 according to the first embodiment, the radiation imaging device 10 does not need to transmit the non-display target image unless there is a transmission request from the console 70, so the data transfer time Can be shortened. Thereby, in the radiographic imaging apparatus 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment, it can transfer to the following imaging process promptly.

  From the viewpoint of securing the storage area of the RAM 74 of the console 70 or the HDD 75, it is preferable to delete the images stored in these as appropriate. Image deletion from the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 may be performed, for example, at the timings of (1) to (6) described above.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 18 shows a third embodiment of the present invention which is implemented by the CPU 51 configuring the imaging unit control unit 50 of each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C executing the transmission control program 57 stored in the ROM 53. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing which concerns.

  The processes of steps S81 to S83 in the transmission control process according to the third embodiment are the same as the processes of steps S41 to S43 in the transmission control process (see FIG. 12) according to the first embodiment described above, The explanation is omitted.

  In step S 84, the CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11 that has generated the first display target image to be transmitted transmits the display target image generated by itself to the console 70 via the communication cable 110.

  In step S85, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines whether or not there is a display target image to be transmitted second. If the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines that the display target image to be transmitted secondly exists, the process proceeds to step S86, and it is determined that the display target image to be transmitted second does not exist End this routine.

  In step S86, the CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11 that has generated the display target image to be transmitted second generates the display target images generated by itself in order from the end side adjacent to the display target image transmitted first. Send to 70 That is, the CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11 that has generated the display target image to be transmitted second transmits the image data on the end side adjacent to the display target image transmitted first to the display target image generated by itself. Send to the console 70 in a leading manner. In other words, the CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11 that has generated the display target image to be transmitted second generates the display target image generated by itself and the radiation detection panel 20 that has generated the display target image transmitted first. From the end side forming the overlapping portion of the imaging area with the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to.

  In step S87, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines whether there is a display target image to be transmitted third. If the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines that the display target image to be transmitted third is present, the process proceeds to step S88, and it is determined that the display target image to be transmitted third does not exist End this routine.

  In step S88, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 that has generated the display target image to be transmitted third generates the display target image generated by itself at the end portion side adjacent to the display target image transmitted first or second. To the console 70 in order. The CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 that has generated the display target image to be transmitted third generates the display target image generated by itself, of the image data of the end portion side adjacent to the display target image transmitted first or second. It sends to the console 70 so that the sending is preceded. In other words, the CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11 that has generated the display target image to be transmitted third generates the display target image generated by itself, the radiation detection panel that generated the display target image transmitted first or second It transmits to the console 70 sequentially from the edge side which forms the overlap part of the imaging | photography area | region of 20 and the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to self.

  In the present embodiment, the process of deriving the estimated value of the area of the subject image based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 (step S81), the estimated value of the area of the derived subject image Although the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 performs processing (step S83) for sharing the transmission order of radiation images (display target images) at step S82, the console 70 performs each of these processings. Good.

The contents of the transmission control process according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, it is assumed that the subject O is disposed across the three imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C. The radiation image I _B generated by the imaging unit 11B, is specified as a display target image, the transmitting sequence of the radiation image I _B is assumed to be set first. The radiation image I _A generated by the imaging unit 11A, is specified as a display target image, the transmitting sequence of the radiation image I _A is assumed to be set to the second. The radiation image I _C generated by the photographing unit 11C, is specified as a display target image, the transmitting sequence of the radiation image I _C is assumed to be set to the third.

CPU51 of the photographing unit 11A which generates a display target image I _A to be transmitted to the second is the display target image I _A generated by itself, the end portion adjacent to the display target image I _B sent to the first E _B1 It sends to the console 70 in the order from the side to the opposite end _EB2 . In other words, the radiation detection panel 20B that CPU51 produced a display target image I _B sent to the first imaging unit 11A which generates a display target image I _A to be transmitted to the second, to be transmitted to the second transmitting a display target image I _a in the order toward the end portion E _B2 from the end portion E _B1 side to form the overlapping portion Y1 of the imaging area of the other side of the radiation detection panel 20A which generates a display target image I _a to the console 70 Do. That is, the transmission of the image data of the end portion E _B1 side, the display target image I _A to the preceding is transmitted than the transmission of the image data of the end portion E _B2 side.

End Similarly, CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11C which generates a display target image I _C to be transmitted to the third, the adjacent displayed images I _C generated by itself, a display target image I _B sent to the first It transmits to the console 70 in order from the part E _C1 side to the opposite end E _C2 side. In other words, CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11C which generates a display target image I _C to be transmitted to the third is a radiation detection panel 20B which generates a display target image I _B transmitted to the first, be transmitted to the third It displayed images I _C to the console 70 in the order toward the end portion E _C2 opposite from the end portion E _C1 side to form the overlapping portion Y2 of the imaging region of the radiation detection panel 20C which generates a display target image I _C to Send. That is, the transmission of the image data of the end portion E _C1 side, the display target image I _C to the preceding is transmitted than the transmission of the image data of the end portion E _C2 side.

The display unit 71 of the console 70, after which the display target image I _B is displayed, the display target image I _A is displayed in this order from the end portion E _B1 side adjacent to the display target image I _B, the display target image I _A after There is displayed, the display target image I _C are displayed in order from the end E _C1 side adjacent to the display target image I _B.

  Thus, of the display target images generated by each of the two radiation detection panels 20 adjacent to each other, the image to be transmitted later is sequentially arranged from the end side forming the overlapping portion of the two radiation detection panels 20. By transmitting, it is possible to quickly display the entire image of the subject on the display unit 71 of the console 70.

Fourth Embodiment
FIG. 20 shows the fourth embodiment of the present invention which is implemented by the CPU 51 configuring the imaging unit control unit 50 of each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C executing the transmission control program 57 stored in the ROM 53. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing which concerns.

  The processes of steps S91 to S94 in the transmission control process according to the fourth embodiment are the same as the processes of steps S41 to S44 in the transmission control process (see FIG. 12) according to the first embodiment described above. The explanation is omitted.

  In step S95, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines whether or not there is a non-display target image. If the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines that the non-display target image is present, the process proceeds to step S96, and if it is determined that the non-display target image is not present, this routine is ended.

  In step S96, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 that has generated the non-display target image causes the console 70 to select an image portion included in the predetermined range starting from the end adjacent to the display target image among the non-display target images. Send.

The contents of the transmission control process according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, only the radiation image I _B generated by the imaging unit 11B is designated as the display target image, and the radiation image I _A generated by the imaging unit 11A and the radiation image I _C generated by the imaging unit 11C are not It is assumed that the image is to be displayed.

The CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11A sets the console 70 to the image portion included in the predetermined range I _AE starting from the end E _B1 adjacent to the display target image I _{B of} the non-display target image I _A generated by itself. Send to Similarly, CPU 51, among the non-display target image _{I C} generated by itself, the image portion included in the predetermined range _{I CE} originating side end _{E C1} adjacent to the display target image _{I B} of the photographing unit 11C To the console 70.

  In the present embodiment, the process of deriving the estimated value of the area of the subject image based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 (step S91), the estimated value of the area of the derived subject image The radiation image capturing apparatus 10 performs processing (step S93) for sharing (step S92) and deriving the transmission order of radiation images (display target images) at step S92, but even if the console 70 performs each of these processings. Good.

As described above, since the accuracy of object recognition using the irradiation detection pixels 32 in the display target image specification process (see FIG. 11) is not high, as shown in FIG. 21, a radiation image I including a part of the object image _A and I _C may not be designated as display target images. In this case, in the aspect of the transmission control process (FIG. 12) according to the first embodiment described above, the radiation images I _A and I _C are not transmitted to the console 70. Therefore, the radiation images I _A and I _C are displayed behind the radiation image I _B according to the result of the image analysis in the display control process (see FIG. 13) performed by the console 70, and the entire subject is displayed. The waiting time until the image is displayed on the display unit 71 becomes long.

  According to the transmission control process according to the fourth embodiment, even in the non-display target image, the image portion included in the predetermined range starting from the end adjacent to the display target image is transmitted to the console 70 Ru. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the object O is disposed across the imaging units 11A, 11B, 11C (the radiation detection panels 20A, 20B, 20C), and the image generated in any of the imaging units 11 is a non-display target Even when it is an image, it is possible to quickly display the entire image of the subject on the display unit 71 of the console 70.

Fifth Embodiment
FIG. 22 is a view showing a luminance distribution of a radiation image generated when X-rays of a uniform dose are irradiated to the radiation detection panel 20B of the imaging unit 11B disposed at the center. The radiation detection panel 20B is disposed downstream of the radiation detection panel 20A of the imaging unit 11A and the radiation detection panel 20C of the imaging unit 11C in the X-ray irradiation direction. One end of the imaging region R _B in the radiation detection panel 20B is superposed on the irradiation direction of the one end portion and the X-ray imaging area R _A of the radiation detection panel 20A, imaging region R in a radiation detection panel 20B The other end of _B is overlapped with one end of the imaging region _RC in the radiation detection panel 20C in the X-ray irradiation direction. Hereinafter, imaging area designated as R _A and the photographing region R _B and overlaps the overlap portion section Y1, referred to as imaging region R _B and imaging region R _C and overlapping portions overlapping portion Y2.

The overlapping portions Y1 and Y2 of the radiation detection panel 20B are irradiated with X-rays attenuated by transmitting through the imaging region _RA of the radiation detection panel 20A and the imaging region _RC of the radiation detection panel 20C, respectively. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 22, the luminance of the portion corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20B is lower than the luminance in the other portions. Therefore, it is preferable to perform luminance correction on the portions corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20B.

  The luminance correction of the image portion corresponding to the overlap portion Y1 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20B is performed using the pixel value of the image portion corresponding to the overlap portion Y1 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20A. be able to. This is because the pixel values are based on X-rays that contain image information corresponding to the image portion corresponding to the overlapping portion Y1 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20B and are not attenuated.

  Similarly, the luminance correction of the image portion corresponding to the overlap portion Y2 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20B is performed by using the pixel value of the image portion corresponding to the overlap portion Y2 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20C. It can be done using. This is because the pixel values are based on X-rays that contain image information corresponding to the image portion corresponding to the overlapping portion Y2 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20B and are not attenuated.

  Therefore, in the radiation image capturing system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 is a radiation image generated by the image capturing unit 11A (radiation detection panel 20A) and the image capturing unit 11C (radiation detection panel 20C) However, even when the non-display target image is selected, the image portions corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2 are transmitted to the console 70 as the correction image. The console 70 corrects the radiation image as the display target image generated by the imaging unit 11B (the radiation detection panel 20B) using the correction image.

  FIG. 23 shows the fifth embodiment of the present invention which is implemented by the CPU 51 configuring the imaging unit control unit 50 of each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C executing the transmission control program 57 stored in the ROM 53. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing which concerns.

  The processes of steps S101 to S104 in the transmission control process according to the fifth embodiment are the same as the processes of steps S41 to S44 in the transmission control process (see FIG. 12) according to the first embodiment described above, The explanation is omitted.

  In step S105, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 determines whether or not the radiation image generated by the imaging unit 11B disposed downstream of the X-ray irradiation direction is a display target image. When the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 determines that the radiation image generated by the imaging unit 11B is a display target image, the process proceeds to step S106, and when it is determined that the radiographic image is not a display target image End the routine

  In step S106, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 determines whether the radiation image generated by the imaging units 11A and 11C arranged on the upstream side in the X-ray irradiation direction is a non-display target image. When the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 determines that the radiation image generated by the imaging units 11A and 11C is the non-display target image, the process proceeds to step S107, and it is determined that the image is not the non-display target image In this case, this routine is ended.

  In step S107, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 (one or both of the photographing units 11A and 11B) which generated the non-display target image corresponds to the overlapping portion Y1 or Y2 among the non-display target images generated by itself. The image portion is sent to the console 70 as a correction image.

  In the present embodiment, the process of deriving the estimated value of the area of the subject image based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 (step S101), the estimated value of the area of the derived subject image Although the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 performs processing (step S103) for sharing the transmission order of radiation images (display target images) at step S102, the console 70 performs each of these processings. Good.

The contents of the transmission control process according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, only the radiation image I _B generated by the imaging unit 11B (the radiation detection panel 20B) is designated as the display target image, and the radiation image I _A generated by the imaging unit 11A (the radiation detection panel 20A) and the imaging unit 11C radiographic image I _C generated by the (radiation detection panel 20C) is assumed to be a non-display target image.

CPU51 of the photographing unit 11A, among the non-display target image _{I A} generated by itself, and transmits to the console 70 the image part _{I AP} corresponding to the overlapping portion Y1 as correction image. Similarly, CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11C, among the non-display target image I _C generated by itself, and transmits to the console 70 the image part I _CP corresponding to the overlapping portion Y2 of the shooting area as a correction image.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a flow of display control processing according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention which is executed by the CPU 73 of the console 70 executing the display control program 83 stored in the ROM 76.

  In step S111, the CPU 73 of the console 70 displays the display target images transmitted from the radiation imaging device 10 on the display unit 71 in the order of reception. In this case, the end portions (image portions corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2) of the display target image generated by the imaging unit 11B (the radiation detection panel 20B) are not displayed or displayed in black.

  In step S112, the CPU 73 of the console 70 transmits, from the radiation imaging device 10, an end portion (image portion corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2) of the display target image generated by the imaging unit 11B (radiation detection panel 20B). It corrects using the corrected image for correction. That is, the luminance value of each pixel at the end (the image portion corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2) of the display target image generated by the imaging unit 11B (the radiation detection panel 20B) is set to the luminance of the corresponding pixel in the correction image Make corrections based on By this correction, the influence of the X-ray attenuation is eliminated at the end (the image portion corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2) of the display target image generated by the imaging unit 11B (the radiation detection panel 20B).

  In step S113, the CPU 73 of the console 70 displays the image portion corrected in step S112 on the display unit 71. That is, the image portion which has been made non-display or black display in step S111 is displayed after correction processing. By the above-mentioned correction processing, in the radiation image generated by the imaging unit 11B (the radiation detection panel 20B), the brightness step as shown in FIG. 21 is eliminated.

  The processes of subsequent steps S114 to S118 are the same as the processes of steps S52 to S56 in the display control process (see FIG. 13) according to the above-described first embodiment, and thus the redundant description will be omitted.

  As described above, according to the radiographic imaging system of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, at least the radiographic image generated in the imaging unit 11A (the radiation detection panel 20A) and the imaging unit 11C (the radiation detection panel 20C) Even when one of the non-display target images is selected, brightness correction processing can be performed using a part of the non-display target images as a correction image, and the display target generated in the imaging unit 11B (the radiation detection panel 20B) The image quality of the image can be improved.

  In addition, the display target images other than the end portions (image portions corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2) of the display target image generated by the imaging unit 11B (the radiation detection panel 20B) are received by the console 70 and then received. Since the display is immediately made without waiting for the end of the correction process of the above, it is possible to avoid an increase in the waiting time until the image display. In addition, after the above-described correction processing is completed, all display target images may be displayed on the display unit 71 all at once.

  In addition, since the radiation imaging device 10 transmits only the image portion necessary for correction among the non-display target images to the console 70, the data transmission time and the correction are compared as compared with the case where the entire non-display target image is transmitted. It is possible to shorten the processing time, and as a result, it is possible to shorten the display waiting time of the image after the correction processing.

  In the present embodiment, when the radiation image generated in the imaging unit 11B is a display target image and at least one of the radiation images generated in the imaging units 11A and 11C is a non-display target image, Although the non-display target image is always transmitted to the console 70 as a correction image, the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, the radiation imaging device 10 may transmit the correction image to the console 70 in response to a transmission request from the console 70. The console 70 issues a transmission request for the correction image to the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 based on, for example, the analysis result of the display target image or the instruction issued by the user via the operation input unit 72, and the correction is performed after the correction image is received. Processing may be performed.

Here, FIG. 26 is a schematic configuration diagram of the radiation detection panel 20A and the signal processing unit 42 that constitute the imaging unit 11A. The signal processing unit 42 includes a plurality of signal processing circuits 42 a each connected to a plurality of signal lines 36. That is, the signal transmitted to each of the signal lines 36 provided in the radiation detection panel 20A is processed by the corresponding signal processing circuit 42a. In FIG. 26, the overlapping portion Y1 is indicated by hatching in the portion where the imaging region _RA and the imaging region R _B (not shown in FIG. 26) overlap. As shown in FIG. 26, it is preferable that the overlapping portion Y1 be included in the processing target range of the single signal processing circuit 42a. As a result, by driving the single signal processing circuit 42a (the signal processing circuit 42a on the rightmost side in FIG. 26) in the photographing unit 11A, it becomes possible to generate the image data of the image for correction, Generation can be done quickly. Similarly, in the imaging unit 11C, it is preferable that the overlapping portion Y2 be included in the processing target range of the single signal processing circuit 42a.

Sixth Embodiment
In the field of image processing, there is known a method of specifying the blur of an image by using a point spread function (PSF). That is, the point image is not projected as it is but is projected while being diffused according to the point spread function.

Here, the original image before deterioration is f (x, y), the image after deterioration is g (x, y), and the spatial filter corresponding to the point spread function is h (x, y). And g (x, y) can be represented by the following equation (1).
g (x, y) = f (x, y) * h (x, y) (1)
The following equation (2) is obtained by Fourier transforming equation (1).
G (u, v) = F (u, v) H (u, v) (2)
The following equation (3) is obtained from the equation (2).
F (u, v) = G (u, v) / H (u, v) (3)
Therefore, the original image before degradation can be restored by inverse Fourier transform of the product of the Fourier transform G (u, v) of the degraded image and the inverse filter 1 / H (u, v). Hereinafter, such restoration processing is referred to as point diffusion correction processing.

  The image after deterioration is an image formed by diffusing the point images constituting the original image before deterioration. Therefore, to perform the point diffusion correction processing, the expansion range of the image after deterioration (the original image is It is necessary to specify the diffusion range, the outer edge of the blurred image), that is, the diffusion range of the point image based on the point spread function. The spread range of the image after deterioration is considered to change depending on the diffusion angle and the diffusion distance, and the diffusion angle and the diffusion distance are correlated with the thickness of the subject (the height from the photographing surface, the body thickness) Conceivable. That is, it is considered that as the thickness of the subject (body thickness) increases, the diffusion range of the point image increases, and the spread range of the subject image increases.

  Therefore, in the radiographic imaging system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the radiographic imaging device 10 includes in the subject information notified from the console 70 in step S13 of the above-mentioned imaging preparation process (see FIG. 9). Based on the thickness (body thickness) of the object to be processed, the expansion range of the object image based on the point spread function is specified. In the case where the expansion range of the specified subject image is included in the non-display target image, the radiographic imaging device 10 selects an image portion including at least the expansion range of the subject image in the non-display target image. It is transmitted to the console 70 as a correction image for point diffusion correction processing. Note that the entire non-display target image may be transmitted to the console 70 as a correction image for point diffusion correction processing. When the expansion range of the subject image extends to the non-display target image, the console 70 degrades the series of images including the display target image and the image portion of the non-display target image that is the correction image. The above-mentioned point diffusion correction processing is performed as an image g (x, y).

  FIG. 27 shows the sixth embodiment of the present invention which is implemented by the CPU 51 constituting the photographing unit control unit 50 of each of the photographing units 11A, 11B and 11C executing the transmission control program 57 stored in the ROM 53. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing which concerns.

  The processes of steps S121 to S124 in the transmission control process according to the sixth embodiment are the same as the processes of steps S41 to S44 in the transmission control process (see FIG. 12) according to the first embodiment described above, The explanation is omitted.

  In step S125, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 detects the thickness (body thickness) of the object included in the object information notified from the console 70 and the irradiation detection in step S13 of the above-mentioned photographing preparation process (see FIG. 9). Based on the result of subject recognition using the pixels 32, the spread range of the subject image (the range in which the original image is diffused, the outer edge of the blurred image) is estimated. For the estimation of the extension range of the subject image, for example, a table in which the correspondence between the thickness (body thickness) of the subject and the extension range of the subject image may be used may be used. The above table may be created based on actual measurement using a phantom, for example.

  In step S126, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines whether or not the expansion range of the subject image estimated in step S125 is included in the non-display target image. If the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines that the expansion range of the subject image is included in the non-display target image, the process proceeds to step S127, and the expansion range of the subject image is included in the non-display target image If it is determined that it does not occur, this routine is ended.

  In step S127, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 that has generated the non-display target image including the expansion range of the subject image includes an image including the expansion range of the subject image among the non-display target images generated by itself. Send the part to the console 70.

  In the present embodiment, the process of deriving the estimated value of the area of the subject image based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 (step S121), the estimated value of the area of the derived subject image Although the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 performs processing (step S3) for sharing the transmission order of radiation images (display target images) in step S122, the console 70 performs each of these processings. Good.

The contents of the transmission control process according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, only the radiation image I _B generated by the imaging unit 11B (the radiation detection panel 20B) is designated as the display target image, and the radiation image I _A generated by the imaging unit 11A (the radiation detection panel 20A) and the imaging unit 11C radiographic image I _C generated by the (radiation detection panel 20C) is assumed to be a non-display target image. Further, the expansion range Q of the subject image estimated in each imaging unit 11 is assumed to be included in each of the radiation images I _A , I _B and I _C as shown in FIG.

CPU51 of the photographing unit 11A, among the non-display target image I _A generated by itself, and transmits to the console 70 the image part I _AP that contains the spreading range Q of the object image as a correction image. Similarly, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11C transmits, to the console 70, an image portion I _CP including the expansion range Q of the subject image among the non-display target images I _C generated by itself, as a correction image.

  FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing a flow of display control processing according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention which is executed by the CPU 73 of the console 70 executing the display control program 83 stored in the ROM 76.

  In step S131, the CPU 73 of the console 70 controls the display driving unit 77 to display the display target images for each imaging unit 11 stored in the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 on the display unit 71 in the order of reception from the radiation imaging device 10. Let That is, in the present step S131, the display unit 71 displays an image before the point diffusion correction processing.

  In step S132, the CPU 73 of the console 70 performs point diffusion correction processing on the display target image displayed on the display unit 71. When the image portion of the non-display target image is transmitted from the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 as the correction image, the CPU 73 of the console 70 displays the display target image and the image portion of the non-display target image which is the correction image; A point diffusion correction process is performed as a degraded image g (x, y).

  In step S133, the CPU 73 of the console 70 causes the display unit 71 to display the display target image subjected to the point diffusion correction processing.

  The processes of subsequent steps S134 to S138 are the same as the processes of steps S52 to S56 in the display control process (see FIG. 13) according to the above-described first embodiment, and thus the redundant description will be omitted.

  As described above, according to the radiation imaging system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, even for a non-display target image, the correction image is used for the image portion including the expansion range of the subject image. As this is used for point diffusion correction processing, even if the non-display target image includes the spread range of the subject image, it is possible to perform point diffusion correction processing on the display target image.

  In addition, since an image to be displayed is received by the console 70 and is immediately displayed in a state before correction processing without waiting for the end of the point diffusion correction processing, an increase in waiting time until image display is avoided. be able to. The display target image after the correction process may be displayed on the display unit 71 after the point diffusion correction process is completed.

  In addition, since the radiation imaging device 10 transmits only the image portion necessary for correction among the non-display target images to the console 70, the data transmission time and the correction are compared as compared with the case where the entire non-display target image is transmitted. It is possible to shorten the processing time, and as a result, it is possible to shorten the display waiting time of the image after the correction processing.

  In the present embodiment, when the expansion range of the subject image is included in the non-display target image, the image portion of the non-display target image is always transmitted to the console 70 as the correction image. It is not limited. For example, the radiation imaging device 10 may transmit the correction image to the console 70 in response to a transmission request from the console 70. The console 70 issues a transmission request for the correction image to the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 based on, for example, the analysis result of the display target image or the instruction issued by the user via the operation input unit 72, and the correction is performed after the correction image is received. Processing may be performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the expansion range Q of the subject image based on the subject thickness (body thickness) included in the subject information notified from the console 70 and the result of subject recognition using the irradiation detection pixels 32. image part I _AP as the correction image by estimating _a, although the extracting the I _CP, but is not limited thereto. For example, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 analyzes the image generated by itself and performs image analysis in each imaging unit 11 to estimate the expansion range of the subject image and extract the image portions I _AP and I _CP as correction images. You may

Further, the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 also includes an image portion I _AP as a correction image in consideration of other information (for example, gender, weight, age) other than the body thickness among the subject information notified from the console 70, I _CP may be extracted. Here, the expansion range Q of the subject image is assumed to be determined by the scattered radiation, and the scattered radiation is frequently generated at a high density portion such as a bone. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the spread condition Q of the subject image by estimating the occurrence of scattered radiation by estimating the skeleton of the subject based on various information (sex, weight, age, body thickness) included in the subject information. it can.

Further, the radiographic imaging apparatus 10, tube voltage sent from the console 70, the tube current, SID (source-image distance) of the image portion I _AP as correction image based on the X-ray irradiation _condition, an I _CP You may extract. For example, the higher the tube voltage, the higher the linearity of the X-ray, the smaller the influence of scattered radiation, and the smaller the image expansion range Q. In addition, the tube current affects the density of the radiation image because it is proportional to the X-ray dose. In addition, the incident angle of the X-ray to the subject changes in accordance with the SID. That is, as the SID is larger, the incident angle of the X-ray on the subject is closer to the vertical. As a result, it becomes difficult to be affected by the scattering, and the expansion range Q of the subject image becomes small. On the other hand, the smaller the SID, the more oblique the incident side of the object. As a result, it becomes susceptible to scattering, and the expansion range Q of the subject image becomes large.

[Modification]
As mentioned above, although the radiation imaging system concerning the embodiment of the present invention was explained, the present invention is not limited to each above-mentioned embodiment, and various modification is possible.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the designation of the display target image is performed based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 includes the subject's sex, age, height, target region, subject at the time of capturing, which is included in the subject information transmitted from the console 70 in step S13 of the imaging preparation process (see FIG. 9). The display target image may be designated based on the attribute information of the subject such as the posture. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the radiographic imaging device 10 is arranged for standing position imaging, when the patient as the subject is an adult male and the imaging site is a chest, the imaging unit 11A Among the imaging units 11B and 11C, the radiographic image generated in the imaging unit 11A disposed at the top and the imaging unit 11B disposed at the center may be designated as the display target image. As described above, when the display target image is specified based on the subject information, the subject attribute information such as sex, age, height, shooting target region, posture at shooting, etc. of the patient who is the subject, and shooting used for shooting A table in which the correspondence with the unit 11 is defined may be used. In this way, by specifying the display target image using the attribute information of the subject and the table, the processing is compared with the case where the display target image is specified based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32, It becomes possible to shorten time.

  In addition, when the user designates the imaging unit 11 to be used for imaging prior to imaging, a radiation image generated by the designated imaging unit 11 may be designated as a display target image. For example, in step S13 of the imaging preparation process (see FIG. 9), the display target image or designation information for designating the imaging unit 11 to be used may be transmitted from the console 70 to the radiographic imaging device 10 together with the subject information. The radiographic imaging device 10 may designate the display target image based on the designation information. As described above, by specifying the display target image based on the user specification, it is possible to shorten the processing time for specifying the display target image, and it is possible to specify a more appropriate image as a display-to-image. .

  In the display target image designation process (see FIG. 11), when the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines that the object detection based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 fails (error case), All radiation images generated in each of 11A, 11B, and 11C may be designated as display target images. As described above, in the case of an error case, by setting all images as display target images, processing for additionally displaying non-display target images is not performed. As a result, the display waiting time of a desired image is increased. There is a high possibility of shortening. In addition, when the subject is detected in the imaging units 11A and 11C at both ends, all radiation images generated in each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C as the subject is detected also in the central imaging unit 11B. May be designated as a display target image.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the transmission order of the display target image to the console 70 is derived based on the estimated value of the area of the subject image derived based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32. Not limited to this. For example, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 includes the subject's sex, age, height, imaging target site, imaging time, which is the subject included in the subject information transmitted from the console 70 in step S13 of the imaging preparation process (see FIG. 9). The transmission order of the display target image may be derived based on the attribute information of the subject such as the posture of. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in the case where the radiation imaging device 10 is arranged for standing position imaging, when the patient as the subject is an adult male and the imaging region is a chest, Even if the radiation image generated in the imaging unit 11A to be disposed is transmitted to the console 70 first, and the radiation image generated in the imaging unit 11B disposed in the center is transmitted secondly, even if the transmission order is determined Good. As described above, when the transmission order of the display target image is determined based on the attribute information of the subject, transmission of the display target image and the attribute information of the subject such as gender, age, height, shooting target region, posture at the time of shooting A table that defines the correspondence with the order may be used. As described above, by deriving the transmission order of the display target image using the attribute information of the subject and the table, the processing time is compared with the case where the transmission order is derived based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32. It becomes possible to shorten.

  Further, when the user designates the imaging unit 11 to be used for imaging and the transmission order of the display target image prior to imaging, the radiation image generated in the designated imaging unit 11 is designated as the display target image. The transmission order of the display target images to the console 70 may be determined in accordance with the designated order. For example, in step S13 of the imaging preparation process (see FIG. 9), together with the subject information, the display target image or designation information for specifying the imaging unit 11 to be used and transmission order information indicating the transmission order of each of a plurality of display target images 70 may be transmitted to the radiation imaging device 10. The radiographic imaging device 10 may designate the display target image based on the designation information and the transmission order information and may determine the transmission order of the display target image. Thus, while the transmission control process (see FIG. 12) processing time can be shortened by determining the transmission order of display target images based on user specification, the display unit of the console 70 can quickly display an image desired by the user. 71 can be displayed.

  Further, when the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines that the object detection based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 fails (error case), all generated in each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, 11C The radiation image of may be designated as a display target image, and in this case, the transmission order of each display target image may be transmitted in a predetermined order. In addition, when the subject is detected in the imaging units 11A and 11C at both ends, all radiation images generated in each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C as the subject is detected also in the central imaging unit 11B. May be designated as a display target image. In this case, the radiation images generated by the imaging units 11A and 11C are sent to the console 70 in advance, and the radiation images generated by the imaging unit 11B are finally output to the console It may be sent to 70.

  In addition, in the case where the display target images generated in the two imaging units 11A and 11B or the imaging units 11B and 11C adjacent to each other are transmitted to the console 70, the display object generated by the imaging unit 11B disposed at the center The image may always be sent to the console 70 first. In general, there is a high possibility that the region of interest is placed on the central imaging unit 11B, so by determining the transmission order as described above, the more important images are transmitted to the console 70 in advance. be able to.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, designation of the display target image and derivation of the transmission order of the display target image are performed based on the pixel values of the irradiation detection pixels 32 provided in each radiation detection panel 20. Not limited to this. For example, it is possible to use a known radiation detection device such as an ion chamber provided outside the radiation imaging device 10 in place of the irradiation detection pixel 32. The ion chamber is configured by opposingly arranging a high voltage electrode and a signal electrode in a metal container in which an inert gas such as xenon gas having a large X-ray absorption coefficient is enclosed. When X-rays intrude into the metal container of the ion chamber, the enclosed gas is ionized and current flows between the high voltage electrode and the signal electrode, so X-rays can be detected. When an ion chamber is used instead of the irradiation detection pixel 32, it is preferable to dispose a plurality of ion chambers for each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C. In this case, by defining the positional relationship between each ion chamber and the radiation detection panel 20, the ion chamber can be made to play the same role as the irradiation detection pixel 32. That is, it is possible to specify the display target image and derive the transmission order of the display target image based on the output of each ion chamber. By using the ion chamber, it is possible to designate the display target image based on the irradiation dose of X-rays and to derive the transmission order of the display target image even in the radiation imaging apparatus having no irradiation detection pixel.

  Further, in the display control process according to each of the above-described embodiments, the necessity of display of the non-display target image is determined based on the result of image analysis of the display target image in the console 70. It is not limited to For example, based on an instruction issued by the user via the operation input unit 72 of the console 70, whether or not to display the non-display target image may be determined. That is, the user confirms the display target image displayed on the display unit 71 of the console 70 and performs an operation of requesting the display of the non-display target image on the operation input unit 72 as necessary. According to the user operation, in the aspect of the display control process (FIG. 13) according to the first embodiment, the transmission request for the non-display target image is transmitted from the console 70 to the radiation imaging device 10, and the second embodiment In the mode of the display control process (see FIG. 17) according to the mode, the non-display target image is read from the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 of the console 70.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the console 70 displays the display target images in the order of reception (that is, the transmission order set in the radiation image capturing apparatus 10) on the display unit 71. It is not limited to For example, the console 70 may perform image analysis before displaying the display target image, and may display the display target image in the display order derived according to the analysis result.

  Moreover, in each embodiment mentioned above, although the case where the radiographic image produced | generated in the radiographic imaging apparatus 10 was displayed on the display part 71 of the console 70 was illustrated, it is not limited to this aspect. The radiation image generated by the radiation imaging device 10 may be displayed on a display screen of a device separated from the console 70 such as a portable display terminal device, for example. In this case, the portable display terminal device or the like may have substantially the same function as the console 70, and may perform the display control process according to each of the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, the console 70 may perform the display control process according to each of the above-described embodiments, and the portable display terminal device or the like may perform only image display based on control by the console 70. That is, the portable display terminal device or the like may have a function as the display unit 71 of the console 70.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the radiographic images generated by the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C are stored in the image memory 43 of the radiographic imaging device 10 or the RAM 74 or HDD 75 of the console 70. It is not limited to this aspect. For example, the radiographic image generated in each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C may be stored in an external storage medium communicably connected to both the radiographic imaging device 10 and the console 70. In this case, in response to the transmission request from the console 70, the non-display target image is read from the external storage medium.

  Moreover, although the case where the radiation detection panel which employ | adopted the indirect conversion system was used was illustrated in said each embodiment, you may use the radiation detection panel which employ | adopted the direct conversion system. Moreover, although the case where X-ray was used as radiation irradiated at the time of imaging | photography of a radiographic image was illustrated in said each embodiment, you may use other radiations, such as a gamma ray, an ultraviolet-ray, a neutron beam. Moreover, each process in each above-mentioned embodiment can be implemented combining with each other.

10 radiation image capturing apparatus 11, 11A, 11B, 11C imaging unit 20, 20A, 20B, 20C radiation detection panel 31 imaging pixel 32 irradiation detection pixel 34 TFT
35 gate line 36 signal line 43 image memory 50 photographing unit control unit 51 CPU
55 Shooting control program 56 Display image designation program 57 Transmission control program 70 Console 71 Display section 73 CPU
74 RAM
75 HDD
82 Imaging preparation program 83 Display control program 90 Radiation irradiation apparatus 100 Radiographic imaging systems Y1, Y2 Overlap parts R _A , R _B , R _C imaging areas

Claims (17)

A radiation imaging apparatus,
A plurality of radiation detection panels, each of which detects radiation incident through a subject to generate image data of a radiation image and is juxtaposed in a direction intersecting the radiation incident direction;
A designation unit that designates image data of a display target image among image data of a plurality of radiation images generated by each of the plurality of radiation detection panels;
A transmitter configured to transmit image data of at least the display target image among the plurality of radiation images to the outside of the radiation image capturing apparatus;
The first radiation detection panel different from the first radiation detection panel among the plurality of radiation detection panels in response to completion of transmission of the display target image from the first radiation detection panel among the plurality of radiation detection panels A control unit for notifying the second radiation detection panel;
Including
The second radiation detection panel outputs an image to be displayed according to the notification. The designation unit is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels, and the display target is based on a detection signal from each of the sensors that outputs a detection signal having a size corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation. The radiation imaging device according to claim 1, wherein an image is specified. The radiation image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the designation unit designates the display target image based on attribute information indicating an attribute of the subject. The radiation image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the designation unit designates the display target image based on information designating the display target image supplied from the outside of the radiation image capturing apparatus. Each of an external device provided outside the radiation image capturing apparatus is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels and outputs a detection signal of a size corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation. Determine the presence or absence of the subject on each radiation detection panel based on the detection signal from
The radiation image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the designation unit designates the display target image based on a determination result of the presence or absence of a subject by the external device. The transmission unit derives the transmission order of the image data of the plurality of display target images when the plurality of images are designated as the display target images, and the image data of the plurality of display target images is calculated according to the derived transmission order. The radiation imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the radiation imaging device is sequentially transmitted to the outside of the radiation imaging device. The transmitting unit is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels, and based on a detection signal from each of the sensors outputting a detection signal having a size corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the transmission order of the image data of the display target image is derived. The radiation image capturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transmitting unit derives a transmission order of image data of the plurality of display target images based on attribute information indicating an attribute of the subject. When the plurality of images are designated as the display target images, the transmission unit is indicated by the information specifying the transmission order of the image data of the plurality of display target images supplied from the outside of the radiographic imaging device. The radiation image imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the image data of the plurality of display target images are sequentially transmitted to the outside of the radiation image imaging apparatus according to the transmission order to be transmitted. When a plurality of images are designated as a display target image, an external device provided outside the radiation image capturing apparatus is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels and the dose of the irradiated radiation The transmission order of the image data of the plurality of display target images is derived based on the detection signal from each of the sensors that output the detection signal of the size according to
The transmission unit sequentially transmits the image data of the plurality of display target images to the outside of the radiation image capturing apparatus according to the transmission order derived by the external device. Radiation imaging device. Each of the plurality of radiation detection panels is disposed such that adjacent radiation detection panels and an end of an imaging region capable of generating a radiation image overlap each other,
The transmission unit transmits image data of an image portion included in a predetermined range starting from an end adjacent to the display target image among radiation images other than the display target image to the outside of the radiation image capturing apparatus. The radiographic imaging apparatus of any one of Claim 1 to 10 which transmits. A storage medium storing image data of at least radiation images other than the display target image among the plurality of radiation images;
The radiation image capturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the transmission unit transmits the image data of the display target image among the plurality of radiation images to the outside of the radiation image capturing apparatus. The radiographic imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
A storage medium storing image data of at least radiation images other than the display target image among the plurality of radiation images;
The display target image indicated by the image data received from the radiation image capturing apparatus is displayed on a display unit, and when there is a display request, radiation other than the display target image indicated by the image data stored in the storage medium A control device having a display control unit that causes the display unit to display an image together with the display target image;
Radiation imaging system including A radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 12;
The display target image indicated by the image data received from the radiation image capturing apparatus is displayed on a display unit, and when there is a display request, image data of radiation images other than the display target image stored in the storage medium A control device having a display control unit that requests the radiation image capturing apparatus to transmit, and causes the display unit to display a radiation image other than the display target image indicated by the image data received from the radiation image capturing apparatus;
Radiation imaging system including The display control unit causes the display unit to display the plurality of display target images in the order of reception when the image data of the plurality of display target images are transmitted from the radiation imaging device. Radiographic imaging system as described. The radiation image imaging system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the control device erases the image data of the display target image from the storage medium after receiving the image data of the display target image. The radiographic imaging system of any one of Claims 13-15 which erase | eliminates the image data memorize | stored in the said storage medium based on the instruction | indication from the said control apparatus.