JP2020005865A - Radiation image reading device, radiation image reading method, and fluorescent detector - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a small-sized radiation image reading device capable of reducing an impact of noise by an excitation light and capable of reducing uneven brightness.SOLUTION: A radiation image reading device 1 includes an excitation light scan engine 3 for irradiating an imaging plate 2, in which a radiation image is recorded, with an excitation light E1, and a fluorescence detector 4 for detecting a fluorescent light F1 generated from the imaging plate 2 by the excitation light E1 with which the imaging plate 2 is irradiated, and reads the radiation image recorded in the imaging plate 2 on the basis of data acquired by the fluorescence detector 4. The radiation image reading device 1 includes an excitation light detector 5 for detecting an excitation light E2 with which the imaging plate 2 is irradiated and which is reflected by the imaging plate 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiation image reading device, a radiation image reading method, and a fluorescence detector.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a radiation image reading apparatus that reads a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor (imaging plate), for example, a stimulable phosphor reading apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 is known.

  The stimulable phosphor reading device includes a laser light source that emits laser light, a plurality of mirrors, a condenser lens, and a prism for guiding the laser light to the stimulable phosphor and irradiating the stimulable phosphor with the laser light. A photoelectric converter for converting fluorescent light into an image, a light guide, a filter, and a scanning table disposed around the photoelectric converter, a motor for rotating the stimulable phosphor, and the like.

  The filter disposed on the front face of the photoelectric converter has a function of transmitting the fluorescent light of the wavelength of 390 nm excited by the stimulable phosphor and blocking the passage of the laser light of the wavelength of 633 nm. In general, a photoelectric converter is a photomultiplier tube (also referred to as a photomultiplier) including a high-sensitivity photodetector having a current amplification function based on a photoelectric tube that converts light energy into electric energy using a photoelectric effect. ) Is used. In the photomultiplier, the sensitivity of the fluorescence is about 100 times higher than the sensitivity of the excitation light, so that the influence of noise due to the excitation light can be sufficiently suppressed.

  However, the stimulable phosphor reader described in Patent Literature 1 has many components, has a complicated structure, and has a large size as a whole, which is not suitable for home medical care.

JP-A-6-130526

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a comparative example of a radiation image reading apparatus including a photon counting device.
In recent years, a semiconductor sensor called a photon counting device (Photon counting device) 400 as shown in FIG. 7 is expected as an alternative to the above-described photomultiplier tube. By replacing the photomultiplier tube with the photon counting device 400, the reading device of the stimulable phosphor described in Patent Document 1 can be downsized as a whole.

  The radiation image reading apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 7 includes an excitation light scanning engine 300 that irradiates an imaging plate 200 on which a radiation image is recorded with excitation light E100, and fluorescence generated according to the dose of the excitation light E100 that irradiates the imaging plate 200. A photon counting device 400 for detecting F100.

  The photon counting device 400 is composed of, for example, MPPC (registered trademark) (Multi-Pixel Photon Counter). The photon counting device 400 includes a substrate 410, a fluorescence detection unit 420 mounted on the substrate 410, a bandpass filter 430 provided on the front surface of the fluorescence detection unit 420, and a housing 450.

However, since the photon counting device 400 has a high detection sensitivity in a wide light wavelength band, it detects not only fluorescence but also excitation light, so that SN which is the ratio of signal to noise is used. There is a problem that the ratio is deteriorated.
That is, the photon counting device 400 has a problem that the excitation light appears as noise because the bandpass filter 430 cannot completely cut the excitation light.

Further, there is a possibility that luminance unevenness may occur due to various factors. For example, the distance from the excitation light scanning engine to the MPPC (registered trademark) changes due to the periodic luminance unevenness due to the distortion of the MEMS mirror in the excitation light scanning engine, the luminance unevenness due to the difference in the laser optical path length, and the IP warping and distortion. And uneven brightness.
However, there is a problem that the luminance unevenness exemplified above cannot be determined only by the conventional fluorescence acquisition sensor.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a radiation image reading apparatus, a radiation image reading method, and a fluorescence detector, which are small, can reduce the influence of noise due to excitation light, and can also reduce luminance unevenness. Make it an issue.

  In order to solve the above problem, a radiation image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes an excitation light scanning engine that irradiates excitation light to an imaging plate on which a radiation image is recorded, and the imaging image that is irradiated with the excitation light by irradiating the imaging plate. A fluorescence detector for detecting fluorescence generated from the plate, and a radiation image reading device that reads a radiation image recorded on the imaging plate based on data acquired by the fluorescence detector, irradiating the imaging plate with the radiation An excitation light detector for detecting the excitation light reflected by the imaging plate is provided.

  Further, a radiation image reading method according to the present invention is a radiation image reading method for reading a radiation image recorded on the imaging plate using the radiation image reading apparatus, wherein the empty imaging plate is scanned in advance, The value of the range of the excitation light obtained by the fluorescence detector when scanning the empty imaging plate and the value of the range of the excitation light obtained by the excitation light detector are determined, and the range is determined from the ratio. The difference between the positions is corrected and normalized.

  Further, the fluorescence detector according to the present invention is a fluorescence detector that detects fluorescence generated from the imaging plate by irradiating an excitation plate emitted from an excitation light scanning engine to an imaging plate on which a radiation image is recorded. A lens that collects reflected light by the imaging plate, an excitation light detection unit for detecting excitation light that has passed through the lens, an excitation light cut filter that cuts excitation light that has passed through the lens, and It is characterized by comprising a fluorescence detection unit for detecting the fluorescence that has passed through the excitation light cut filter, and a substrate on which the excitation light detection unit and the fluorescence detection unit are mounted.

  The present invention can provide a radiation image reading apparatus, a radiation image reading method, and a fluorescence detector, which are small, can reduce the influence of noise due to excitation light, and can also reduce luminance unevenness.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating an example of a radiation image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view illustrating an example of a fluorescence detector. It is a block diagram showing an example of a radiation image reading device. It is an explanatory view showing a first modification of the radiation image reading device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory view showing other examples of the 1st modification of a radiation image reader concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd modification of the radiation image reading apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is an expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a fluorescence detector. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a comparative example of a radiation image reading apparatus including a photon counting device.

First, a radiation image reading apparatus, a radiation image reading method, and a fluorescence detector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the present embodiment, the radiation image reading apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 will be described with the imaging plate 2 side facing downward and the fluorescence detector 4 side facing upward. Before describing the radiation image reading apparatus 1, the imaging plate 2 will be described.

≪Imaging plate≫
The imaging plate 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a recording medium on which image data obtained by X-ray imaging with an X-ray inspection apparatus or the like is recorded. The imaging plate 2 is made of a stimulable phosphor (accumulative phosphor) capable of storing light according to the dose of X-rays. The imaging plate 2 has a rough surface, and irregularly reflects excitation light E1 (laser light) hitting the surface and fluorescence F1 emitted by the excitation light E1 in various directions. (See FIG. 2). The imaging plate 2 is formed of a rectangular thin plate-like member formed in an appropriate size according to a portion to be imaged. The imaging plate 2 or the radiation image reading device 1 is carried by a carrying device (not shown) in the direction of arrow a shown in FIG. 1 when reading an image.
An empty imaging plate, which will be described later, refers to the imaging plate 2 in which no image or the like is recorded.

≪Radiation image reader≫
As shown in FIG. 1, the radiation image reading device 1 is a device (imaging plate scanner) that reads a radiation image recorded on an imaging plate 2.
That is, the radiation image reading apparatus 1 irradiates the imaging plate 2 on which the radiation image is recorded with the excitation light E1 (laser light having a wavelength of 680 nm) as shown in FIG. This is a device that detects fluorescence F1 (light having a wavelength of 400 nm) generated in response thereto, converts the detected fluorescence F1 into image data, and forms an image. The radiation image reading apparatus 1 includes an excitation light scanning engine 3 that emits excitation light E1, a fluorescence detector 4 for detecting fluorescence F1 generated by irradiating the imaging plate 2 with the excitation light E1, and an imaging plate 2. An excitation light detector 5 for detecting the reflected excitation light E2 and a computer 6 are provided.

<Excitation light scanning engine>
As shown in FIG. 2, the excitation light scanning engine 3 is an excitation light emitting device that irradiates an imaging plate 2 on which a radiation image is recorded with excitation light E1 of laser light having a constant output. The excitation light scanning engine 3 is disposed at an appropriate angle θ1 (incident angle) with respect to the surface of the imaging plate 2, for example.

<Fluorescence detector>
The fluorescence detector 4 is a detector for detecting only the fluorescence F1 generated according to the dose of the excitation light E1 applied to the imaging plate 2. The fluorescence detector 4 is composed of a semiconductor element such as a photon counting device, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, the fluorescence detector 4 includes a substrate 41, a housing 42, a fluorescence detection unit 43 mounted on the substrate 41, an excitation light cut filter 44 provided on a front surface of the fluorescence detection unit 43, It has. As shown in FIG. 2, the fluorescence detector 4 is arranged to face the imaging plate 2. The fluorescence detector 4 is located closer to the imaging plate 2 and the excitation light scanning engine 3 than the excitation light detector 5, and is located at a position where the fluorescence F1 can be easily obtained.

  The substrate 41 shown in FIG. 3 is made of a plate-shaped insulating resin member. The substrate 41 is provided with a plurality of terminals (not shown), copper foil, and the like. On the substrate 41, a fluorescence detection unit 43 mounted on the surface and a cylindrical housing 42 provided on the outer periphery of the fluorescence detection unit 43 are fixed. One of the terminals (not shown) is connected to the fluorescence detection unit 43 and the other is disposed so as to protrude from the substrate 41, and is electrically connected to the control unit 8 of the computer 6 (see FIG. 2).

The housing 42 is formed of a case body that is disposed so as to be closed by the excitation light cut filter 44 with the fluorescence detection unit 43 interposed therebetween.
The fluorescence detector 43 is a semiconductor sensor for receiving and detecting the fluorescence F1 (see FIG. 2).

  The excitation light cut filter 44 is a filter that cuts off the excitation light E2 (see FIG. 2) that becomes noise and transmits only the fluorescence F1 (see FIG. 2) having a wavelength of 400 nm. The excitation light cut filter 44 is composed of a band-pass filter provided so as to cover the front surface of the fluorescence detection unit 43.

<Excitation light detector>
As shown in FIG. 2, the excitation light detector 5 includes a semiconductor element for irradiating the imaging plate 2 and detecting the excitation light E2 reflected by the imaging plate 2. The excitation light detector 5 includes a substrate 51, a housing 52, an excitation light detection unit 53 mounted on the substrate 51, and a filter 54 provided on the front surface of the excitation light detection unit 53.

  The excitation light detector 5 and the fluorescence detector 4 simultaneously detect the excitation light E2 reflected by the imaging plate 2 or the fluorescence F1 generated from the imaging plate 2. Further, the excitation light scanning engine 3 and the excitation light detector 5 are arranged line-symmetrically with respect to the fluorescence detector 4 arranged toward the imaging plate 2. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, the inclination angle θ1 of the excitation light scanning engine 3 with respect to the imaging plate 2 and the inclination angle θ3 of the excitation light detector 5 with respect to the imaging plate 2 are substantially the same.

  The substrate 51 is made of a plate-shaped insulating resin member. The substrate 51 is provided with a plurality of terminals (not shown), copper foil, and the like. On the substrate 51, an excitation light detection unit 53 mounted on the surface and a cylindrical housing 52 provided on the outer periphery of the excitation light detection unit 53 are fixed. One of the terminals (not shown) is connected to the excitation light detection unit 53, and the other is arranged so as to protrude from the board 51, and is electrically connected to the control unit 8 of the computer 6.

The housing 52 is formed of a box that is disposed so as to be closed by the filter 54 with the excitation light detection unit 53 interposed.
The excitation light detector 53 is a semiconductor sensor for receiving and detecting the excitation light E1.

  The filter 54 is a plate-shaped member that transmits the excitation light E2 and the fluorescence F1, and may not be provided. Further, the filter 54 may be integrated with a condenser lens (not shown) composed of a hemispherical lens or a lot lens.

≪Computer≫
As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 6 acquires a difference between the data of the excitation light E2 detected by the excitation light detector 5 and the data of the fluorescence F1 detected by the fluorescence detector 4 from the acquired image data. It is a device that creates an image. The computer 6 includes an operation unit 7, a control unit 8, and a display unit 9. The computer 6 is, for example, a personal computer.

<Operation section>
The operation unit 7 drives the excitation light scanning engine 3 to perform an operation for irradiating the excitation light E1 toward the imaging plate 2, turns the display unit 9 on and off, and inputs data to the control unit 8. Operating device.

<Control unit>
The control unit 8 includes, for example, an amplification unit for amplifying measurement data obtained by the fluorescence detector 4 and the excitation light detector 5, an AD conversion unit for converting an analog electric signal to a digital electric signal, and an excitation light detector. 5, a difference calculator for calculating a difference between the data of the excitation light E2 detected by the fluorescence detector 4 and the data of the fluorescence F1 detected by the fluorescence detector 4, and a difference correction for correcting an image based on the difference calculated by the difference calculator. Unit, a range correction unit that corrects the image data obtained by the excitation light detector 5 to correct the range of the image data obtained by scanning the empty imaging plate, and an image corrected by the difference correction unit and the range correction unit. An output unit for outputting to the display unit 9 is provided.

<Display part>
The display unit 9 detects the fluorescence F1 (light having a wavelength of 400 nm) generated according to the dose of X-rays from the image data recorded on the imaging plate 2, This is a monitor that displays images. The display unit 9 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel.

≪action≫
Next, the operation of the radiation image reading apparatus 1, the radiation image reading method, and the fluorescence detector 4 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, an imaging plate 2 on which image data obtained by radiography with an X-ray inspection apparatus or the like is prepared (preparation step). The imaging plate 2 is set on the radiation image reading apparatus 1 (setting step).

  Next, the power of the radiation image reading apparatus 1 is turned on by operating a power switch (not shown). Subsequently, the operation unit 7 is operated to drive the radiation image reading device 1 and the transport device (not shown) to transport the imaging plate 2 (transport step), and apply the excitation light E1 to the imaging plate 2. Then, the image data of the imaging plate 2 is scanned (reading step).

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the excitation light scanning engine 3 irradiates the imaging plate 2 with excitation light E1. The reflected light of the excitation light E1 that has hit the imaging plate 2 becomes the excitation light E2 and is irregularly reflected and emitted in all directions. At the same time, when the excitation light E1 strikes the imaging plate 2, the fluorescence F1 generated from the imaging plate 2 is emitted in all directions.

That is, in the fluorescence detector 4, the excitation light E2 reflected by the excitation light E1 impinging on the imaging plate 2 is cut by the excitation light cut filter 44, and the fluorescence F1 generated by the excitation light E1 impinging on the imaging plate 2 is emitted. Is acquired by the fluorescence detection unit 43.
Since the excitation light detector 5 does not include the excitation light cut filter 44, the excitation light E2 can be obtained.

  The control unit 8 creates data of the fluorescence F1 detected by the fluorescence detector 4 and data of the excitation light E2 detected by the excitation light detector 5. Then, the influence of the excitation light E2 based on the data acquired by the excitation light detector 5 is subtracted from the data of the fluorescence F1 of the fluorescence detector 4 in which a part of the excitation light E2 enters as noise, thereby obtaining the fluorescence F1. Only data can be obtained accurately. For this reason, the radiation image reading apparatus 1 can display a clear image with little noise on the display unit 9.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the radiation image reading apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an excitation light scanning engine 3 that irradiates an excitation light E1 to an imaging plate 2 on which a radiation image is recorded; A fluorescence detector 4 for detecting fluorescence F1 generated from the imaging plate 2 by the irradiated excitation light E1, and a radiation image reading device for reading a radiation image recorded on the imaging plate 2 based on data acquired by the fluorescence detector 4. 1, an excitation light detector 5 for irradiating the imaging plate 2 and detecting the excitation light E2 reflected by the imaging plate 2 is provided.

  Accordingly, the radiation image reading apparatus 1 includes the fluorescence detector 4 for detecting the fluorescence F1 and the excitation light detector 5 for detecting the excitation light E2 reflected by the imaging plate 2. The difference between the data detected by the fluorescence detector 4 and the data of the excitation light E2 detected by the excitation light detector 5 makes it possible to read only the data of the fluorescence F1. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the influence of noise due to the excitation light E2, to reduce luminance unevenness, and to obtain clear image data. In addition, the fluorescence detector 4 and the excitation light detector 5 can be made into semiconductors to reduce the size. As a result, the radiation image reading apparatus 1 can be reduced in size and weight as a whole and can be easily transported, so that the apparatus can be optimally used for home medical care.

The excitation light detector 5 and the fluorescence detector 4 simultaneously detect the excitation light E2 reflected by the imaging plate 2 or the fluorescence F1 generated from the imaging plate 2.
Thereby, the radiation image reading apparatus 1 simultaneously acquires the excitation light E2 detected by the excitation light detector 5 and the fluorescence F1 detected by the fluorescence detector 4, and obtains the excitation light detector 5 and the fluorescence detector 4 And the difference detected can be accurately determined.

Further, an image is created by acquiring a difference obtained by subtracting the influence of the excitation light E2 based on the data acquired by the excitation light detector 5 from the data acquired by the fluorescence detector 4.
Thereby, the radiation image reading apparatus 1 obtains a difference between the data of the fluorescence F1 detected by the fluorescence detector 4 and the data of the excitation light E2 detected by the excitation light detector 5, and forms an image. Clear data can be obtained by deleting the data of the excitation light E2 that becomes noise.

As shown in FIG. 2, the excitation light scanning engine 3 and the excitation light detector 5 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the fluorescence detector 4 arranged toward the imaging plate 2.
Thus, since the excitation light detector 5 is arranged diagonally with respect to the excitation light scanning engine 3, the excitation light is a reflection of the excitation light E1 at the incident angle (θ1) emitted from the excitation light scanning engine 3. It can be arranged to detect more E2.

Further, the fluorescence detector 4 includes an excitation light cut filter 44 (hand pass filter) for cutting the excitation light E2.
Thereby, the fluorescence detector 4 can cut the excitation light E2 by the excitation light cut filter 44, acquire only the fluorescence F1 generated from the imaging plate 2, and obtain clear image data.

Further, the radiation image reading method according to the embodiment of the present invention is a radiation image reading method for reading a radiation image recorded on the imaging plate 2 using the radiation image reading device 1, wherein the empty imaging plate is scanned in advance. The ratio α between the value A ′ of the range of the excitation light E2 obtained by the fluorescence detector 4 and the value A of the range of the excitation light E2 obtained by the excitation light detector 5 when the empty imaging plate is scanned is defined as The difference between the range positions is corrected based on the ratio α and normalized.
Here, the empty imaging plate is an imaging plate 2 that has not been irradiated with radiation such as X-rays and that does not generate any fluorescent light F1.

The fluorescence detector 4 acquires the sum of the fluorescence F1 and a part of the excitation light E2 (laser light). The excitation light detector 5 acquires the excitation light E2. The value of the range of the excitation light E2 obtained by the fluorescence detector 4 is different from the value of the range of the excitation light E2 obtained by the excitation light detector 5.
For example, the value of the range of the excitation light E2 obtained by the fluorescence detector 4 is A ', the value of the range of the excitation light E2 obtained by the excitation light detector 5 is A, and the value of the fluorescence F1 obtained by the fluorescence detector 4 is B. For example, when the value A ′ of the range of the excitation light E2 obtained by the fluorescence detector 4 is different from 0 to 50 db, and the value A of the range of the excitation light E2 obtained by the excitation light detector 5 is different from 0 to 100 db. Next, adjust the range.

The radiation image reading apparatus 1 scans an empty imaging plate on which a radiation image is not recorded, and scans an empty imaging plate having no fluorescence B. Accordingly, the radiation image reading apparatus 1 can acquire only the component of the excitation light A when there is no fluorescence B and check it in advance. Assuming that the ratio between the value A ′ of the range of the excitation light E2 obtained by the fluorescence detector 4 and the value A of the range of the excitation light E2 obtained by the excitation light detector 5 when scanning the empty imaging plate is α, Find the ratio α. The ratio α is
α = A '/ A
It is. Correcting the difference of the range position from this ratio and normalizing it, the number of pixels becomes
Number of pixels = (A ′ + B) −α × A
= A '+ B- (A' / A) × A
= A '+ BA'
= B
It becomes. The radiation image reading method performs the data processing for correcting and normalizing the range of the image data in this manner, thereby obtaining the component of the excitation light A ′ in the combined data of the excitation light A ′ and the fluorescence B. Find out the percentage. The component of the fluorescence B is determined from the data thus normalized, and a clear image without noise can be obtained.

  Note that the ratio α described above may be obtained for each pixel of one line that is a direction perpendicular to the IP transport direction. At this time, the ratio α of a plurality of lines may be calculated on one IP and averaged to obtain the ratio α for each line.

[First Modification]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the technical idea, and the present invention extends to these modified and changed inventions. Of course. The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a first modified example of the radiation image reading apparatus 1A according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the first modified example of the radiation image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fluorescence detector 4 and the excitation light detector 5 may be arranged line-symmetrically with respect to the excitation light scanning engine 3 arranged toward the imaging plate 2.
Thus, the radiation image reading apparatus 1A has the fluorescence detector 4 and the excitation light detector 5 arranged in line symmetry, so that the condition of the data of the fluorescence F1 acquired by the fluorescence detector 4 and the excitation light detection The condition of the data of the excitation light E2 and the data of the fluorescence F1 acquired by the vessel 5 is equal. Therefore, when the data of the excitation light E2 acquired by the excitation light detector 5 is subtracted from the data of the fluorescence F1 and the excitation light E2 acquired by the fluorescence detector 4, only the fluorescence F1 is detected and a clear image is obtained. be able to.

As an example of the first modification of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, a fluorescence detector 4 and an excitation light detector 5 are arranged obliquely with respect to the imaging plate 2 (the substrates 41 and 51 are provided with the excitation light E2 and the fluorescence Although the case where it arrange | positions orthogonally to F1) was demonstrated, it is not limited to this arrangement.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the fluorescence detector 4 and the excitation light detector 5, the substrates 41 and 51 may be arranged in parallel to the imaging plate 2, and the same operation and effect can be obtained by arranging them in this way.

[Second Modification]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second modified example of the radiation image reading apparatus 1B according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view illustrating the fluorescence detector 4B.
As shown in FIG. 6, the fluorescence detector 4 (see FIG. 2) described in the above embodiment may be a single semiconductor element or device including the excitation light detection unit 53 and the fluorescence detection unit 43. .

  As shown in FIG. 6, the fluorescence detector 4B of the second modification according to the present invention applies the excitation light E1 emitted from the excitation light scanning engine 3 to the imaging plate 2 (see FIG. 3) on which the radiation image is recorded. A fluorescence detector 4B for detecting fluorescence F1 generated from the imaging plate 2 by irradiation, an excitation light detection unit 43B for detecting the excitation light E1, and an excitation light cut filter 45B for cutting the excitation light E2. A fluorescence detector 44B for detecting the fluorescence F1 that has passed through the excitation light cut filter 45B, and a substrate 41B on which the excitation light detector 43B and the fluorescence detector 44B are mounted.

  More specifically, the excitation light detection unit 43B and the fluorescence detection unit 44B are mounted on the substrate 41B, and are provided inside the housing 42 provided on the substrate 41B together with the excitation light cut filter 45B. An excitation light cut filter 45B is provided in front of the fluorescence detector 44B. The excitation light detection unit 43B, the fluorescence detection unit 44B, and the excitation light cut filter 45B are housed in the housing 42a of the housing 42. A plurality of terminals (not shown) for electrical connection are provided on the substrate 41B.

  Thus, since the fluorescence detector 4B includes the excitation light detection unit 43B and the fluorescence detection unit 44B having the excitation light cut filter 45B installed on the front surface, the effect of noise due to the excitation light E2 can be reduced. it can. In addition, since the fluorescence detector 4B can be housed in one housing 42 and installed on one substrate 41B, the fluorescence detector 4B can be reduced in size and made into one component (one-chip type semiconductor). As a result, the radiation image reading apparatus 1B can be provided with a one-chip type semiconductor.

1, 1A, 1B radiation image reading device 2 imaging plate 3 excitation light scanning engine 4, 4B fluorescence detector 5 excitation light detector 41, 41B substrate 43, 44B, 54 fluorescence detection unit 43B, 53 excitation light detection unit 44, 45B Excitation light cut filter (bandpass filter)
A Range value of excitation light obtained by excitation light detector A 'Range value of excitation light obtained by fluorescence detector B Value of fluorescence obtained by fluorescence detector E1 Excitation light E2 Reflected excitation light F1 Fluorescence α Ratio of excitation light range value obtained by fluorescence detector to excitation light range value obtained by excitation light detector

Claims (8)

An excitation light scanning engine that irradiates the imaging plate on which the radiation image is recorded with excitation light,
A fluorescence detector for detecting fluorescence generated from the imaging plate by the excitation light applied to the imaging plate,
In a radiation image reading device that reads a radiation image recorded on the imaging plate based on the data acquired by the fluorescence detector,
A radiation image reading apparatus, comprising: an excitation light detector for irradiating the imaging plate and detecting excitation light reflected by the imaging plate. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the excitation light detector and the fluorescence detector simultaneously detect the excitation light reflected by the imaging plate or the fluorescence generated from the imaging plate. An image is created by acquiring a difference obtained by subtracting the influence of the excitation light based on the data acquired by the excitation light detector from the data acquired by the fluorescence detector. An image according to claim 2, wherein: Image reading device. The said excitation light scanning engine and the said excitation light detector are arrange | positioned line-symmetrically across the fluorescence detector arrange | positioned toward the said imaging plate. The Claim 2 or Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Radiation image reader. The said fluorescence detector and the said excitation light detector are arrange | positioned line-symmetrically across the said excitation light scanning engine arrange | positioned toward the said imaging plate, The Claim 2 or Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Radiation image reading device. The radiation image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fluorescence detector includes an excitation light cut filter that cuts off excitation light. A radiation image reading method for reading a radiation image recorded on the imaging plate using the radiation image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Scan the empty imaging plate in advance, the excitation light obtained by the fluorescence detector when scanning the empty imaging plate) and the value of the range of the excitation light obtained by the excitation light detector, A radiographic image reading method characterized in that a ratio of a range is determined in advance, and a difference in a range position is corrected and normalized based on the ratio. By irradiating the excitation light emitted from the excitation light scanning engine to the imaging plate on which the radiation image has been recorded, a fluorescence detector that detects fluorescence generated from the imaging plate,
An excitation light detection unit for detecting the excitation light,
An excitation light cut filter that cuts off the excitation light,
A fluorescence detection unit for detecting fluorescence that has passed through the excitation light cut filter,
A fluorescence detector, comprising: a substrate on which the excitation light detection unit and the fluorescence detection unit are mounted.

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