JP2019107065A - Image processing device, radiographic system, image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To synthesize an appropriate long-length image without increasing a burden on a technician in long-length imaging using a plurality of radiation detectors.SOLUTION: An image processing device comprises: image acquisition means for acquiring a radiation image from each of a plurality of detection means including at least first detection means for detecting a radiation and second detection means arranged in a state in which part of the second detection means overlaps with the first detection means; identification information acquisition means for acquiring information for identifying the plurality of detection means; identification means for identifying, on the basis of the acquired identification information, a radiation image acquired by the second detection means; rotation means for rotating the radiation image identified by the identification means; and synthesis means for generating a long-length image by synthesizing the radiation image after being rotated by the rotation means and a radiation image acquired by detection means other than the second detection means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a radiation imaging system, an image processing method, and a program.

  In recent years, in the medical field, imaging with a wide observation area (hereinafter, referred to as long-length imaging) has been performed such as imaging the entire spinal cord and lower legs of a subject and the whole body. Patent Document 1 discloses a radiation imaging system capable of performing long-distance imaging by imaging a plurality of radiation detection devices (radiographic imaging devices) side by side. Each of the plurality of radiation detection devices used in the radiation imaging system is a portable radiation detection device. By installing a plurality of radiation detection devices on a dedicated long mount, it is possible to take long shots, and it is also possible to take out only one unit from the long mount and perform general imaging. Thus, it is possible to reuse the radiation detection device.

  If the arrangement (arrangement order and orientation) of the radiation detection apparatus at the time of long-length imaging changes by using the radiation detection apparatus, the arrangement order and orientation of the partial images outputted by each radiation detection apparatus also change. Without consideration, it is impossible to generate a long image correctly. As in Patent Document 2, radiation detectors having a simplified structure or a complicated structure are mixed. Therefore, the arrangement and orientation of the radiation detection devices may differ depending on the internal structure of the radiation detection devices, which may be a factor that increases the burden on the technician.

  By the way, not only long radiographing but also radiography in general, it is required that the radiographed image be displayed on the screen in the vertical direction suitable for diagnosis. For example, in photographing a body trunk such as the chest or abdomen, it is common to display the screen with the head side of the human body facing upward. Patent Document 3 uses an imaging device provided with a sensor capable of detecting the direction of gravity, and based on the contents of a captured image when the sensor is taken in an available posture, the detection result of the sensor is not so. A method is disclosed for determining the vertical direction of an image.

JP, 2012-40140, A Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2017-94131 JP, 2016-76843, A

  However, when using a plurality of radiation detection devices as described above in long-length imaging, the technique of Patent Document 3 can not determine the vertical direction of the image when the vertical direction of each radiation detection device is not determined. . In particular, when the structure of one side of the opposing sides of the radiation detection apparatus is not suitable for correction by image processing, at least one of the radiation detection apparatuses may be installed by being rotated 180 degrees. There is a problem that it can not cope.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is an object of the present invention to synthesize an appropriate long image without increasing the burden on a technician in long image capturing using a plurality of radiation detection devices.

  Therefore, the present invention is an image processing apparatus, comprising at least a first detection unit for detecting radiation, and a second detection unit arranged in a state where the first detection unit and the first detection unit are partially overlapped. Based on an image acquisition unit that acquires a radiation image, a specific information acquisition unit that acquires information that specifies the plurality of detection units, and the specific information acquired by the specific information acquisition unit from each of a plurality of detection units. An identifying means for identifying a radiation image obtained by the second detection means; a rotating means for rotating the radiation image identified by the specifying means; the radiation image after rotation by the rotating means; And a combining means for combining an X-ray image obtained by a detection means other than the second detection means to generate a long image.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in elongate imaging | photography using several radiation detection apparatuses, an appropriate elongate image can be synthesize | combined, without increasing the burden on a technologist.

It is a figure which shows a radiography system. It is explanatory drawing of the positional relationship of a radiation detection apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the positional relationship of a radiation detection apparatus. It is a functional block diagram of a control device. It is explanatory drawing of a process of an image correction part. It is a flowchart which shows identification information setting processing. It is a flowchart which shows a long image creation process.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a view showing a radiation imaging system 100. As shown in FIG. The radiation imaging system 100 performs long imaging using a plurality of radiation detection devices. The radiation imaging system 100 includes a radiation generation unit 110 that generates radiation. The generating unit 110 can irradiate the radiation range 111 with radiation. The generating unit 110 is installed via a support (not shown) installed on a floor surface or a ceiling. A stop (not shown) for shielding radiation is installed on the irradiation surface of the generation unit 110. The operator can set the irradiation range 111 of the radiation irradiated from the generation unit 110 by controlling the diaphragm that shields the radiation.

  The radiation imaging system 100 includes a plurality of radiation detection devices 121, 122, 123. Here, although the case where the three radiation detection apparatuses 121 to 123 are provided will be described, the number of radiation detection apparatuses provided in the radiation imaging system 100 may be two or four or more. The plurality of radiation detection devices 121 to 123 detect radiation that has passed through the subject A, and outputs radiation images that are image data according to the radiation. Specifically, each of the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 detects the radiation transmitted through the subject as a charge corresponding to the amount of transmitted radiation. Each of the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 includes, for example, a direct conversion sensor that converts radiation such as a-Se directly to charge, a scintillator such as CsI, and a photoelectric conversion element such as a-Si. An indirect type sensor using Further, each of the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 generates image data by A / D converting the detected charge, and outputs the image data to the control device 140.

  The radiation detection devices 121 to 123 are all housed in the imaging table 130. The imaging stand 130 is a rectangular case, and the inside of the case is hollow. Moreover, the imaging stand 130 has a function which hold | maintains the radiation detection apparatuses 121-123. As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging stand 130 is installed upright with respect to the floor surface. The subject A is installed along the longitudinal direction of the imaging table 130. The imaging stand 130 has a support function for supporting the subject A. That is, the imaging stand 130 is installed such that the longitudinal direction of the imaging stand 130 is the vertical direction. As another example, the imaging stand 130 may be installed so that the longitudinal direction of the imaging stand 130 is horizontal, that is, the imaging stand 130 is parallel to the floor surface. .

  A radiation detection apparatus 121, a radiation detection apparatus 122, and a radiation detection apparatus 123 are disposed in the imaging table 130 in this order from the top along the longitudinal direction of the imaging table 130. At this time, a part of each of the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 is overlapped and disposed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the radiation detection device 121 and the radiation detection device 122 are disposed so as to partially overlap each other. At this time, the imaging possible areas of the radiation detection device 121 and the radiation detection device 122 overlap each other. Similarly, the radiation detection device 122 and the radiation detection device 123 are disposed such that portions thereof spatially overlap each other. At this time, the imaging possible areas of the radiation detection device 122 and the radiation detection device 123 overlap each other.

  Furthermore, the radiation detection device 122 is disposed on the back side of the radiation detection device 121 and the radiation detection device 123, that is, at a position far from the generation unit 110. The arrangement of the radiation detection device is not limited to the embodiment, and as another example, the radiation detection device 121 is on the back side of the radiation detection device 122, and the radiation detection device 122 is on the back side of the radiation detection device 123. It may be arranged.

  The radiation imaging system 100 also includes a control device 140 that performs image processing on the image data output from the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 to generate an image. The control device 140 includes a control unit 141, a storage unit 142, a display unit 143, an operation unit 144, and a communication unit 145. The control unit 141 has a function of controlling each component. The control unit 141 has a CPU and controls the entire control device 140. The control unit 141 is connected to the plurality of radiation detection apparatuses 121 to 123 via a wired or wireless network or a dedicated line. Each of the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 captures the radiation generated by the generation unit 110 and outputs image data to the control unit 141. The control unit 141 has an application function that operates on a computer. The control unit 141 outputs an image to the display unit 143 or outputs a graphical user interface while controlling the operations of the plurality of radiation detection apparatuses 121 to 123.

  The control unit 141 controls the timing of generating the radiation of the generation unit 110 and the imaging condition of the radiation. Further, the control unit 141 controls the timing at which the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 capture image data and the timing at which the image data is output. The control unit 141 can cause the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 to perform imaging at the same time and cause the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 to simultaneously output image data. The control unit 141 has a function of performing image processing such as noise removal on the image data output from the plurality of radiation detection apparatuses 121 to 123. The control unit 141 also performs image processing such as trimming and rotation on the images output from the plurality of radiation detection devices 121 to 123. The storage unit 142 includes a ROM, a RAM, and an HDD, and stores various information and programs. The functions and processing of the control device 140 described later are realized by the control unit 141 reading a program stored in the ROM or the HDD and executing this program. The display unit 143 displays the image output from the control unit 141. The operation unit 144 receives an operation for inputting an instruction by the operator. The control device 140 is an example of an image processing device.

  At the time of imaging, the subject A stands on a step board placed on the imaging table 130 and is positioned with respect to the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 and the generation unit 110. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the generation unit 110 and the imaging stand 130 are installed in a positional relationship in which the radiation is perpendicularly incident on the center of the radiation detection device 122. The radiation irradiated from the generation unit 110 to the plurality of radiation detection devices 121 to 123 passes through the subject A, reaches the plurality of radiation detection devices 121 to 123, and is detected. The image data obtained by the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 is subjected to synthesis processing by the control unit 141, and a synthesized image of the subject A is generated. The composite image is a long image obtained by long shooting with a wide observation area.

  The radiation imaging system 100 can perform long-length imaging for imaging the whole or whole body of the spinal cord and the lower limbs of the subject A by one irradiation of radiation. Radiation (irradiation range 111) irradiated from generation part 110 is simultaneously irradiated to a plurality of radiation detection devices 121-123. For example, the operator controls a diaphragm that shields radiation, or adjusts the distance between the plurality of radiation detection devices 121 to 123 and the generation unit 110. Each of the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 may have a detection function of automatically detecting the irradiation of the radiation from the generation unit 110. The detection function for automatic detection is a function in which when the radiation is irradiated from the generation unit 110, the plurality of radiation detection devices 121 to 123 detect the radiation and accumulate charge resulting from the radiation. When one of the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 detects the irradiation of radiation, the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 cause the main reading operation to start and acquire image data.

  In the radiation imaging system 100, the radiation detection device 122 is disposed behind the radiation detection devices 121 and 123 so as to overlap. Therefore, in the image data output from the radiation detection device 122, a degraded area in which a structure (structural information) such as a radiation detection panel, a substrate, and a casing, which are internal components of the radiation detection devices 121 and 123, is reflected. It occurs. The degraded area will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

  As shown to Fig.2 (a), the structure which shields a radiation is provided in the upper area | region 124 of each radiation detection apparatus 121-123. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2A, when all of the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 are arranged in the vertical direction, in the image data of the radiation detection device 122, a region overlapping with the upper region 124 In this case, deterioration due to reflection of the structure occurs. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an overlapping portion of the radiation detection device 122 and the radiation detection device 123 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the upper region 124 of the radiation detection apparatus 121, the radiation detection panel 301 for detecting radiation, the adhesive 302, the panel base 303, and the control substrate 304 are stacked in this order from the radiation incident surface side. A tie band is included. Here, the adhesive 302 adheres the radiation detection panel 301 and causes the panel 203 to be installed. The panel base 303 supports the radiation detection panel 301. The control substrate 304 causes the radiation detection panel 301 to output an electrical signal. The radiation detection panel 301 and the control substrate 304 are connected via a flexible substrate 305. The outer casing of the radiation detection device 121 has a casing 306 made of metal or carbon, and a radiation transmitting portion 307 made of a radiation transmitting member for transmitting radiation. A radiation transmitting unit 307 is installed on the radiation incident surface of the radiation detection panel 301 to suppress attenuation of radiation from the generating unit 110. The radiation detection panel 301 has an effective pixel area capable of detecting radiation and an edge on the outer periphery of the effective pixel area.

  The radiation detection device 122 is disposed such that the effective pixel region thereof partially overlaps the effective pixel region of the radiation detection device 121, and in any line, the effective pixel region of any of the radiation detection devices 121 and 122 is surely image data Configured to be able to obtain The long image is generated from the image data (radiation image) output from the radiation detection device 121 and the image data (radiation image) output from the radiation detection device 122.

  The structure of the radiation detection device 121 is reflected in the image data 310 acquired from the radiation detection device 122. An area 311 from the end of the effective pixel area of the radiation detection apparatus 122 to the end of the exterior casing of the radiation detection apparatus 122 is an area where the structure of the radiation detection apparatus 121 is reflected in the radiation detection apparatus 122. In the image data 310 acquired from the radiation detection device 122, a degraded area 312 due to reflection of the structure of the radiation detection device 121 is generated. That is, a degradation area corresponding to the degradation area 312 is also generated in the long image generated from the image data 310 acquired from the radiation detection device 122 in the composition processing unit 407.

  In the degradation area 312 of the image data 310 acquired from the radiation detection device 122, a part of the radiation detection panel 301, the flexible substrate 305, the adhesive 302, the panel base 303, and the housing 306 in the radiation detection device 121 serves as image information. included. In addition, the degraded area 312 includes image information caused by a substrate or the like on the flexible substrate 305. As described above, the degraded area is an area including a loss of image information which is generated by a structure having a low radiation transmittance and to which the correction processing described later is impossible. In the deteriorated area, the subject information is deteriorated, which may hinder the diagnosis using the long image.

  While the upper region 124 of the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 is provided with a structure that produces such a degraded region, the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 is provided with a structure that causes a degraded region to occur. Not. Therefore, in the radiation imaging system 100 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the upper and lower directions of the radiation detecting apparatus in which the upper region 124 overlaps with the other radiation detecting apparatus are reversed with those of the other radiation apparatus. Arrange as you want. Specifically, the radiation detection device 123 is disposed in an inverted state with respect to the radiation detection devices 121 and 122 so that the vertical direction and the vertical direction of the radiation detection device 123 are reversed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the structure of the upper region 124 of the radiation detection device 123 from being reflected in the image data of the radiation detection device 122. Furthermore, as described later, the control device 140 corresponds to the inverted arrangement of the radiation detection device 123 in this way, and rotates the image data of the radiation detection device 123 by 180 ° and then rotates it with other image data. Do the composition.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the control device 140. As shown in FIG. The control device 140 includes a communication processing unit 401, an image storage unit 402, an identification information storage unit 403, an identification information setting unit 404, a rotation target identification unit 405, a rotation processing unit 406, and a combination processing unit 407. Have. The control device 140 further includes an image correction unit 408, a gradation processing unit 409, and a display processing unit 410.

  The communication processing unit 401 controls communication with the radiation detection devices 121 to 123. The image storage unit 402 stores image data (radiographic image) output from the radiation detection devices 121 to 123. The image storage unit 402 stores the image data output from the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 together with time information and identification information of the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 of the transmission source. That is, the image storage unit 402 distinguishes and stores whether or not the radiation images output from the radiation detection apparatuses 121 to 123 are simultaneously obtained, based on the time information when the radiation image is obtained. The operator instructs in advance, using the operation unit 144, whether the image is a radiation image including the image information of the subject or a radiation image not including the image information of the subject. The storage unit 402 can distinguish them and store them.

  The operator inputs the position information of the radiation detection apparatuses 121 to 123 through the operation unit 144. In addition, the imaging stand 130 may be provided with the detection part which detects the positional information on several radiation detection apparatuses 121-123 accommodated in the imaging stand 130. FIG. The image storage unit 402 stores a plurality of radiation images simultaneously captured by the plurality of radiation detection apparatuses 121 to 123 in association with position information (spatial position information) of the radiation detection apparatus. That is, the control device 140 detects the radiation detection device disposed in the upper part, the radiation detection device disposed in the central part, and the radiation detection device disposed in the lower part among the plurality of radiation detection devices 121 to 123 according to the position information. It can be distinguished.

  The image storage unit 402 also stores information indicating that the image data output from the radiation detection device 121 and the image data output from the radiation detection device 122 are adjacent to each other. Similarly, the image storage unit 402 stores information indicating that the image data output from the radiation detection device 122 and the image data output from the radiation detection device 123 are adjacent to each other. Furthermore, the image storage unit 402 stores information indicating that the radiation detection device 122 is disposed on the back side of the radiation detection devices 121 and 124.

  The identification information storage unit 403 stores identification information of the radiation detection devices arranged upside down. The identification information storage unit 403 of the present embodiment stores identification information of the radiation detection device 123. The identification information setting unit 404 sets (stores) identification information in the identification information storage unit 403 according to a user operation. The rotation target specifying unit 405 compares the identification information acquired together with the image data through the communication processing unit 401 with the identification information stored in the identification information storage unit 403, and when the two match, the corresponding image The data is specified as image data to be rotated.

  The rotation processing unit 406 rotates the radiation image specified by the identification information setting unit 404 by 180 °. That is, the rotation target identification unit 405 performs image processing so that the top and bottom are reversed. The radiation image after rotation is displayed on the display unit 143 via the gradation processing unit 409. As another example, the rotation processing unit 406 may perform rotation processing of the default rotation display angle of each radiation detection apparatus separately from the above-described 180 ° rotation processing. The rotation processing unit 406 performs rotation processing at a default rotation angle on captured images other than the captured image specified as the rotation target, and performs 180 ° rotation processing on the captured image specified as the rotation target. I do.

  The combining processing unit 407 combines a plurality of image data stored in the image storage unit 402 to generate a long image. At this time, the combining processing unit 407 combines a plurality of pieces of image data including the image information of the subject A to generate a long image. The combination processing unit 407 generates a long image by combining based on the plurality of image data output from the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 and the position information. Specifically, the combining processing unit 407 determines a plurality of pieces of image data (radiation images) simultaneously output from the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 based on time information as a combination target, and combines the plurality of pieces of image data. The composition processing unit 407 determines the positional relationship of the plurality of image data output from the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 based on the position information. Further, for the image data corresponding to the radiation detection apparatus arranged upside down, the combining processing unit 407 uses the image data after rotation for combining.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the image data output from the radiation detection device 121 is upward, the image data output from the radiation detection device 123 is downward, and the image data output from the radiation detection device 122 is in between It is positioned. Furthermore, the synthesis is performed in consideration of the overlapping manner indicated by the position information. For example, in the radiation detection device 122 disposed so as to overlap with another radiation detection device at a position far from the generation unit 110, degradation regions occur vertically. However, the radiation detection devices 121 and 124 do not have a degraded region. Therefore, the composition processing unit 407 preferentially uses image data generated by the radiation detection devices 121 and 124 in a range where the radiation detection devices overlap, and generates a long image by using the image data generated preferentially in the long image. The area can be minimized. As described above, the combining processing unit 407 generates a long image by combining a plurality of image data obtained by shooting a plurality of adjacent shooting areas. Note that the radiation image specified as the rotation target is input to the combining processing unit 407 in a state of being rotated by 180 degrees.

  The image correction unit 408 performs a process of correcting the degradation area so as not to be noticeable with respect to the combined image output from the combining processing unit 407. Specifically, the image correction unit 408 corrects the deteriorated area using the structure information representing the structure of the radiation detection apparatus and the pixel value distribution of the normal area adjacent to the deteriorated area. In other words, the image correction unit 408 corrects the degraded area of the long image using the information of the normal image area adjacent to the degraded area.

  Here, the structure information is information representing a structure of the radiation detection apparatus which may be reflected in the radiation image. The structural information includes information such as the radiation source weak coefficient, thickness, and position of the substance present inside the radiation detection apparatus. When correcting the degraded area on the long image, it is expected that the end of the degraded area is correlated with the pixel value distribution of the spatially adjacent normal area if there is no reflection. Therefore, in consideration of the structural information in which the reflection occurs, the image correction unit 408 reduces the deteriorated area by performing correction such that the pixel value distribution of the deteriorated area approaches the pixel value distribution of the normal area. Can.

  Here, in order to simplify the description, a method will be described in which image data obtained by superimposing a plurality of radiation detection devices in the absence of a subject is acquired and used as structure information. The structural information is represented in the form of pixel values of reflection of the structure of the radiation detection device. The pixel value is, for example, a small value in a pixel in which reflection due to a thick radiation source weak coefficient is large, and a large value in a pixel in which a reflection due to a thin radiation source weak coefficient is small.

  The process of the image correction unit 408 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the image data 500 acquired from the radiation detection device 122 includes two degraded regions 501 and 502 in which the structure information of the radiation detection devices 121 and 124 is reflected. The radiation detection device 121 is reflected in the degraded area 501. The radiation detection device 123 is reflected in the degraded area 502. In the image data (radiographic image) 510 acquired from the radiation detection device 121, reflection of structural information of other radiation detection devices does not occur. Further, in the image data (radiographic image) 520 acquired from the radiation detection device 123, reflection of structural information of other radiation detection devices does not occur. Therefore, the image data 500 corresponds to the structure information having, as position / pixel value information, the manner of reflection on the image. In addition, the degraded regions 501 and 502 can also be regarded as structural information.

  The position on the long image of the deteriorated area may be obtained from the position information of the radiation detection apparatus held by the image storage unit 402, but can also be obtained using structural information. That is, if the information loss which arises on the long picture which structure information shows is detected on a long picture, the detection field will be a degradation field. For example, in the case of using the above-described degraded regions 501 and 502 as structure information, the image correction unit 408 performs template matching on a long image by using the structure information as a template image. Then, the position with the highest correlation is acquired as the degradation area, and the correction processing is performed as the correction target by the image correction unit 408.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the gradation processing unit 409 performs gradation processing on a long image obtained by combining a plurality of image data (radiographic images). Specifically, the gradation processing unit 409 acquires a plurality of image data acquired from the radiation detection apparatuses 121 to 123 from the image storage unit 402. The gradation processing unit 409 analyzes the feature quantities of the plurality of image data acquired from the radiation detection devices 121 to 123, respectively, so that the dynamic range of the display unit 143 can be effectively used. Determine the tone conversion characteristics.

  Then, the gradation processing unit 409 converts the gradation of the long image using the determined gradation conversion characteristic. The feature amount includes the histogram of each image data, the maximum pixel value, and the minimum pixel value, and the feature amount is obtained by performing analysis processing on a plurality of image data acquired from the radiation detection apparatuses 121 to 123. It is calculated. The tone processing unit 409 can perform tone processing on the long image corrected by the image correction unit 408. As described above, since the gradation processing is performed on the long image in which the deteriorated area is reduced, the gradation processing of the long image can be appropriately performed. That is, the gradation processing unit 409 can perform gradation processing of a long image while suppressing the influence of reflection of structures of the radiation detection apparatus 121 and the radiation detection apparatus 123. The display processing unit 410 controls to display various information on the display unit 143. The display processing unit 410 displays, for example, a long image in which the degradation area is reduced by the above-described processing.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing identification information setting processing. In step S601, the identification information setting unit 404 determines the number of radiation detection apparatuses to be used for imaging in accordance with the long imaging protocol selected according to the operation by the operator. If the number of radiation detection apparatuses is two (two in S601), the identification information setting unit 404 advances the process to S602. If the number of radiation detection devices is three (three in S601), the identification information setting unit 404 advances the process to S603. In S602, the identification information setting unit 404 determines whether the radiation detection device to be used is the upper and middle radiation detection devices 121 and 122 or the middle and lower radiation detection devices 122 and 123. The identification information setting unit 404 ends the process without setting the identification information in the identification information storage unit 403 if the upper and middle positions are (upper and middle in S602). The identification information setting unit 404 advances the process to S603 in the case of the middle and lower (S602: middle and lower). In S603, the identification information of the radiation detection device 123 located below is set in the identification information storage unit 403. This is the end of the identification information setting process.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing long image creation processing. In step S701, the communication processing unit 401 acquires image data from the radiation detection apparatuses 121 to 123, and stores the image data in the image storage unit 402 together with identification information and position information. This process is an example of an image acquisition process for acquiring image data (radiographic image). Next, in S702, the rotation target identification unit 405 identifies image data to be rotated based on the identification information stored in the identification information storage unit 403. Next, in step S703, the rotation processing unit 406 rotates the image data to be rotated by 180 °.

  Next, in step S704, the combining processing unit 407 combines the image data acquired from each of the radiation detection apparatus 121 to the radiation detection apparatus 123 to generate a long image. The image data subjected to the rotation process is used as the image data subjected to the rotation process in S703. Thereby, the up-down direction of the image data of each of the radiation detection apparatuses 121-123 can be arrange | equalized. Next, in step S705, the image correction unit 408 performs an image correction process. Next, in step S706, the gradation processing unit 409 performs gradation processing. Next, in step S 707, the display processing unit 410 controls the display unit 143 to display the processed long image. Thus, the long image creation process ends.

  As described above, in the radiation imaging system 100, a long image can be obtained by aligning and combining the vertical directions of the image data obtained by each of the radiation detection devices 121 to 123 without increasing the burden on the technician. it can. That is, appropriate long images can be synthesized without increasing the burden on the technician.

  In addition, as a first modification of the embodiment, the specific process for identifying the radiation detection device arranged upside down is not limited to the embodiment. As another example, the control device 140 may identify the radiation detection devices arranged upside down based on the position information received together with the image data from the radiation detection device. In this case, the identification information storage unit 403 stores the position information of the radiation detection device arranged upside down, instead of the identification information. The identification information and the position information are both examples of identification information for identifying the radiation detection apparatus. Further, the process of acquiring the identification information and the position information is an example of the specific information acquisition process.

  A second modification will be described. In the present embodiment, the case where a structure that causes a degraded area is provided in the upper region of the radiation detection apparatus has been described as an example, but the position where such a structure is provided is changed to the upper It may be the lower part. In this case, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the radiation detection device 121 is arranged in a state of being turned upside down. Then, the control device 140 rotates the image data obtained from the radiation detection device 121 by 180 ° to generate a long image.

  As a third modification, the control device 140 may be capable of long image capturing using each of a plurality of radiation detection devices of different sizes such as large size and half size. In this case, the identification information storage unit 403 stores identification information for each size. Then, the control device 140 acquires information indicating the size of the radiation detection device connected to the control device 140 according to the user operation or from at least one of the plurality of radiation detection devices. Then, the control device 140 specifies image data to be rotated based on identification information associated with the size of the radiation detection device connected to the control device 140. In addition, the process which acquires the information which shows the size of the radiation detection apparatus connected to the control apparatus 140 according to user operation or from at least one of several radiation detection apparatuses is an example of a size acquisition process.

  A fourth modification will be described. The control device 140 not only has long image capturing using a type of radiation detection apparatus having a structure not suitable for image correction by the image correction unit 408, but also has a type of radiation detection not having a structure not suitable for image correction. It may also be possible to take long images using an apparatus. In this case, the identification information storage unit 403 stores the type of radiation detection apparatus having a structure not suitable for image correction. Then, the control device 140 acquires information indicating the type, and the rotation processing unit 406 controls the rotation processing to be performed when the type of the radiation detection device having a structure not suitable for the image correction is acquired. In addition, the control device 140 may perform control so as not to perform rotation processing when the type of radiation detection device that does not have a structure not suitable for image correction is acquired. This can prevent unnecessary rotation processing from being performed. The process of acquiring the type is an example of the type acquisition process.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims.・ Change is possible.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program. Can also be realized. It can also be implemented by a circuit (eg, an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

100 radiation imaging systems 121, 122, 123 radiation detection apparatus 140 control apparatus

Claims (10)

An image for obtaining a radiation image from each of a plurality of detection means including at least a first detection means for detecting radiation, and a second detection means arranged in a state of being partially overlapped with the first detection means Acquisition means,
Specific information acquisition means for acquiring information for specifying the plurality of detection means;
Specifying means for specifying a radiation image obtained by the second detection means based on the specific information obtained by the specific information obtaining means;
Rotation means for rotating the radiation image identified by the identification means;
It has a combining means for combining the radiation image after rotation by the rotation means and a radiation image obtained by detection means other than the second detection means to generate a long image. Image processing device. The second detection means is arranged upside down with the first detection means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation unit rotates the radiation image identified by the identification unit by 180 °. It further comprises storage means for storing specific information of the second detection means,
3. The radiation image identification method according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit identifies the radiation image based on the identification information stored in the storage unit and the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the specific information is identification information of the detection unit.   The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a correction unit configured to correct an image of a region corresponding to an overlap of the two detection units in the radiation image. The apparatus further comprises size acquiring means for acquiring the sizes of the plurality of detecting means,
The storage means stores the specific information for each size.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the specifying unit specifies the radiation image further based on a size of the detecting unit. The apparatus further comprises type acquisition means for acquiring the types of the plurality of detection means,
The storage means further stores types of a plurality of detection means including the second detection means,
The rotation means rotates the radiation image when the type acquired by the type acquisition means matches the type stored in the storage means, and the type acquired by the type acquisition means 6. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the radiation image is controlled not to rotate when the type stored in the storage means does not match. . A plurality of detection means including at least a first detection means for detecting radiation, and a second detection means disposed in a state of being partially overlapped with the first detection means;
An image acquisition unit that acquires a radiation image from each of the plurality of detection units;
Specific information acquisition means for acquiring information for specifying the plurality of detection means;
Specifying means for specifying a radiation image obtained by the second detection means based on the specific information obtained by the specific information obtaining means;
Rotation means for rotating the radiation image identified by the identification means;
It has a combining means for combining the radiation image after rotation by the rotation means and a radiation image obtained by detection means other than the second detection means to generate a long image. Radiography system. An image processing method performed by an image processing apparatus, comprising:
An image for obtaining a radiation image from each of a plurality of detection means including at least a first detection means for detecting radiation, and a second detection means arranged in a state of being partially overlapped with the first detection means Acquisition step,
A specific information acquisition step of acquiring information specifying the plurality of detection means;
A specifying step of specifying a radiation image obtained by the second detection unit based on the specifying information obtained in the specifying information obtaining step;
Rotating the radiation image identified in the identifying step;
And combining the radiation image after rotation in the rotation step and the radiation image obtained by the detection means other than the second detection means to generate a long image. Image processing method.   The program for making a computer perform each step of the image processing method of Claim 9.

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