JP2873834B2 - Radiation image information recording and reading device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to recording radiation image information on a stimulable phosphor,
Also, the present invention relates to a radiation image information recording and reading apparatus which reads out the recorded image information by excitation scanning, and more particularly to a radiation image information recording and reading apparatus in which a stimulable phosphor is repeatedly reused in the apparatus.

[Background of the Invention]

When a stimulable phosphor is irradiated with radiation (X-ray, α-ray, β-ray, γ-ray, ultraviolet ray, etc.), part of the energy of this radiation is stored and recorded in the phosphor, and then the excitation light is applied to the phosphor. Upon irradiation, the phosphor emits stimulating light in accordance with the stored energy.

The radiation image conversion panel is a panel having a stimulable phosphor layer having such characteristics (hereinafter, simply referred to as a panel except for special cases), and uses a radiation (X-ray) image of a human body or the like as a latent image. Recording is possible, and when this latent image portion is irradiated with excitation light such as laser light, stimulated emission with an intensity corresponding to the density of the latent image occurs. Therefore, if the stimulated emission light is detected by a photodetector such as a photomultiplier (photomultiplier) and appropriately processed, a recorded radiation image can be obtained. This final image may be played back as a hard copy or on a CRT.

As described above, since the panel does not record the image information finally but temporarily stores the image information in order to give the image to the final recording medium, the latent image is erased with the image given the final image. Be reused.

Among the conventional radiation image information recording and reading methods, a method in which the panel is housed in a dedicated cassette and photographed in the same manner as a normal screen-film method, and then the panel is removed from the cassette and sent to a reader (cassette type) )
However, this method has a disadvantage that it takes a long time from photographing to image data acquisition.

To compensate for the drawback, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-121834 discloses an excitation / read / erase unit in which a panel is fixedly arranged on an apparatus main body and which excites, reads, and erases afterimages of the radiation image of the panel. A radiation image information recording / reading apparatus is disclosed, wherein the apparatus is integrally provided so as to be reciprocally movable with respect to the panel surface, and the unit performs main scanning and sub-scanning on the panel.
According to this, the apparatus is remarkably miniaturized and reading can be performed immediately after radiation irradiation, so that there is an advantage that image data can be obtained immediately. However, on the other hand, the next photographing cannot be performed unless the cycle of photographing, reading, and erasing is completely completed, so that it has a disadvantage that it is not suitable for continuous photographing.

Here, continuous imaging means that the same subject and the same site are continuously irradiated with radiation twice or more at short intervals.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-200269 discloses a recording medium comprising a support, a stimulable phosphor layer fixed on the support and capable of accumulating and recording at least one radiation image. An image recording unit that accumulates and records a radiographic image of a subject on the recording medium by irradiating the recording medium; an excitation light source that emits excitation light that scans the recording medium on which the radiation image is accumulated and recorded; An image reading unit having photoelectric reading means for reading a photostimulated emission light emitted from the recorded body to obtain an image signal; the support and the image reading unit being relatively and repeatedly moved to form a support Means for circulating the recording medium relative to the reading unit; and recording the image on the recording medium after the image reading is performed in the image reading unit. Above the body Residual radiation energy radiation image information recording and reading apparatus characterized by comprising an erase means for releasing is disclosed. This invention also enables reading to be started immediately after radiation irradiation. As its embodiment,
It describes a method in which a recording medium is fixed to a planar support and the support is rotated or reciprocated, and a method using an endless belt support.

In any case, in the embodiment shown as a main embodiment that can be realized, since the movement of the recording medium also serves as the sub-scanning of the excitation light, another image cannot be taken during the reading operation, It is not suitable for the purpose of shortening the photographing cycle time and continuous photographing.

Also, in the former case, the size of the device becomes extremely large as is apparent from the drawings of the embodiment, which is impractical. In the latter case, it is difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus because the apparatus includes a belt or drum rotating mechanism. In particular, when a support of an endless belt is used, a bending force is applied to the stimulable phosphor layer every time it is rotated, so that the stimulable phosphor layer is easily damaged, which adversely affects the image quality.

As described above, in the conventional radiation image information recording / reading apparatus, it is not possible to shorten the imaging cycle time, obtain image data immediately, and perform all of continuous imaging, and to realize miniaturization of the apparatus. It was possible.

[Object of the invention]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a radiation image information recording / reading apparatus capable of shortening an imaging cycle time, immediately acquiring image data, enabling continuous imaging of the same patient, reducing damage to a panel, and reducing the overall size. is there.

[Configuration of the invention]

For this purpose, the present invention provides a plurality of radiation image conversion panels having a stimulable phosphor layer, an imaging unit that irradiates radiation irradiated from a radiation source to the panel to accumulate and record radiation image information, A reading unit having a reading unit that scans the panel with excitation light and photoelectrically reads the radiation image information, wherein the panel is moved from the imaging unit to the reading unit after irradiation with radiation. A first and a second unit for moving the panel from the reading unit to the photographing unit after reading, and for temporarily storing panels other than the panel being photographed or being read in the photographing unit and the reading unit. Panel standby space, the panel at the time of imaging is arranged between the radiation source and the first panel standby space, and the panel at the time of reading is located between the reading means and the second standby space. A panel is arranged, and the movement of the panel from the photographing unit to the reading unit and the movement of the panel from the reading unit to the photographing unit are performed in a direction perpendicular or parallel to the panel surface.

The apparatus of the present invention is used in a radiation image conversion method schematically shown in FIG.

That is, in FIG. 1, 11 is a radiation generator, 12
Is a subject, 13 is a panel, 14 is a stimulating excitation light source, 15 is a photoelectric conversion device that detects stimulating fluorescence emitted from the conversion panel, 16 is a device that reproduces a signal detected by 15 as an image, 17 is A device 18 for displaying a reproduced image separates the photostimulated excitation light and the photostimulated fluorescence and transmits only the photostimulated fluorescence. Note that after 15 the optical information from 13 can be reproduced in any form as an image, and is not limited to the above.

As shown in FIG. 1, radiation from a radiation generator 11 enters a conversion panel 13 through a subject 12. The incident radiation is absorbed by the photostimulable layer of the panel 13 and its energy is accumulated, so that an accumulated radiation transmission image is formed.

Next, the accumulated image is excited by stimulating light from the stimulating light source 14 and emitted as stimulating light. Since the intensity of the emitted photostimulated luminescence is proportional to the amount of accumulated radiation energy, this optical signal is photoelectrically converted by a photoelectric conversion device 15 such as a photomultiplier tube, and reproduced as an image by an image reproduction device 16, and the image is reproduced. By displaying the image on the display device 17, a radiographic image of the subject can be observed.

〔Example〕

 Next, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of examples.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the radiation image information recording and reading apparatus, which is applied to chest X-ray photography.

The controlled X-ray is irradiated toward the subject M, and the frame (at the position a) in the radiation image information recording and reading apparatus 1
The energy according to the X-ray transmission distribution of the subject M is stored in the stimulable phosphor layer in the panel 2 fixed to the panel 2.

The irradiated 2 starts moving and reaches c via the panel standby space b, and is excited by the excitation light from the shaped light beam of the excitation / read / erase unit 3. In order to use the panel 2 repeatedly without removing it from the frame, it is necessary to erase the residual latent image. This erasing is performed by an erasing lamp (for example, a halogen lamp) provided in the unit 3 together with the light beam generator. The panel 2 in the reusable state moves to the position a via the panel standby space d and returns to the photographable state. In FIG. 2, if panels are arranged at a and c or at a and d at the start of photographing, the photographing cycle time can be shortened and the same subject can be photographed continuously.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration in which a photographing unit and a reading unit are provided on the same side as the panel irradiation surface, and two panels are used at positions a and b or a and c at the start of photographing. If the panel support is radiopaque, panels can also be arranged at a and d. In this configuration, the movement of the panel is a → b →
The order is c → d → a, but it is also possible to move a → d → c → b → a, and it is also possible to arrange three panels having a radiopaque support.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration having two photographing units, wherein the panel is a
→ b → c → d → e → f → c → d → a.

The feature of this configuration is that it is possible to simultaneously perform (1) positioning before imaging, (2) imaging, and (3) reading of different subjects, which is advantageous when handling another number of subjects such as a group examination.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the apparatus in which the excitation / read / erase unit is arranged on the same side of the panel as the X-ray source prevents deterioration in image quality due to X-ray absorption of the panel support. It is preferable because it can be used.

In the present invention, the movement of the panel may be realized by transporting the panel alone, or the panel may be fixed to the panel holding means in advance and transported together with the panel holding means. In the former case, the panel needs to have some rigidity.

One example of the means for transporting the panel or the panel holding means will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a part of the conveying means composed of the roller groups 51 and 52 and the belt conveyor group 53. The roller group moves the panel in a direction parallel to the panel surface, and the belt conveyor group moves in a direction perpendicular to the panel surface. Has the function of causing. Belt conveyor group 53
Can move up and down as a whole.

In FIG. 5, the panel first moves on the roller group 51 from right to left. At this time, the belt conveyor group 53 is at a position lowered to such an extent that the belt does not touch the lower end of the panel.
When the panel moves to the specified position, the belt conveyor group
53 moves upward and pushes up the lower edge of the panel. The panel is
It moves from the front to the back according to the movement of the 53 belt. When the lower end of the panel moves above the roller group 52, the belt conveyor group 53 moves again downward, and the panel moves on the roller group 52 from left to right.

The movement of the panel of the present invention is realized by combining several transporting means as shown in FIG.

In addition to the means as shown in FIG. 5, a guide rail, a guide lever or the like for promoting the movement of the panel may be combined.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a mechanism part in which the panel 4 is temporarily fixedly arranged and the excitation / read / erase unit 30 is movably provided. Reference numeral 21 denotes a frame that forms an outer frame of the main body of the device 5. Reference numeral 22 denotes a panel transport member. The panel is fixed at position 4 from the start to the end of reading.

The entire excitation / read / erase unit 30 is a movable plate 31
In a fixed state. A female screw (not shown) is fixed to the moving plate 31, and the female screw is
And screwed into a female screw rod 26 which is rotated by a motor 25 attached to the motor. 27 is a guide bar. Therefore, by driving the motor 25, the movable plate 31 can be moved in the direction of the arrow Y or in the direction opposite thereto.

A light beam generator 6 is mounted on the movable plate 31 (not shown in FIG. 6), and a beam from the light beam generator 6 is provided with an optical system (not shown) such as a beam expander for shaping (expanding) the beam diameter. The light is reflected by a scanner 7 such as a galvanometer mirror or a polygon mirror (in the figure, a galvanometer mirror is shown), becomes scanning light, passes through a condenser lens 32 such as an fθ lens for focus adjustment, and is reflected by a reflection mirror 71. The optical path is changed by -73 to become the excitation light 81.

The panel 4 is temporarily fixed to the left of the moving range of the excitation / read / erase unit 30 in FIG. 6, and the excitation light 81 is scanned as a scanning line 80 on the panel 4. .

Here, the excitation light path from the light beam generator 6 to the reflecting mirror 71 is on the same plane and is configured to be parallel to the panel 4, but by doing so,
It is possible to easily assemble the device, adjust the optical path of a light beam that requires positional accuracy, and the like, and further reduce the size of the device.

The photomultiplier 10 is fixed to the moving plate 31, and the photomultiplier 10
The light-collecting end face 8a of the light-collecting body 8 that transmits stimulated emission light to 10 is located near the scanning line 80 and is arranged in parallel with the scanning line 80.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a filter that allows only light in the stimulated emission wavelength region among the light introduced from the light collector 8 to pass.

In the apparatus 5, in the main scanning in the X direction on the panel 4 (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 6), the beam emitted from the light beam generator 6 is swung by the scanner 7 (scanned). ), Focusing is performed on the surface of the panel 4 by the condenser lens 32.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the sub-scan in the Y direction is performed by moving the movable plate 31 in the Y direction, that is, by moving the excitation / read / erase unit 30 itself, with the panel 4 temporarily fixed in this embodiment.

Therefore, the panel 4 can be two-dimensionally scanned with the excitation light 81. When stimulated emission light corresponding to the density of the latent image is generated in a portion scanned by the excitation light 81, the emission is collected. The light is collected by the body 8 and guided to the photomultiplier 10, where it is detected and converted into an electric signal. Then, by processing this electric signal in synchronization with the main scanning and the sub-scanning, the panel 4
The image recorded as a latent image thereon can be reproduced.

In the apparatus of the present invention, since the excitation / read / erase unit 30 is integrally formed as described above, mutual displacement (deviation) of each part is reduced, and more stable image reading is possible. .

Furthermore, in the above example, the optical path is bent by the reflecting mirrors 71 to 73. In this case, the optical path length between the scanner 7 and the scanning line 80 on the panel 4 is not changed, and the optical path is changed. Since the space occupied by the scanning light can be reduced, inserting a plurality of such reflecting mirrors in the optical path greatly contributes to downsizing of the apparatus.

In FIG. 6, the excitation light 81 enters the panel 4 from obliquely below. If the excitation light enters the panel 4 from the vertical direction, the excitation light returns directly to the light beam generator 6 due to reflection on the panel 4 surface, which may lead to fluctuations in the light beam power.

In the mechanism for moving the excitation / read / erase unit 30,
It is preferable to use a laser light source, particularly a semiconductor laser, as the light beam generator 6 in terms of compactness, light weight, and low cost. However, when reflected light enters the active region of the semiconductor laser, the laser oscillation mode changes, The light beam power greatly fluctuates, which adversely affects image reading.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the excitation light 81 is incident on the panel 4 from an oblique direction as described above.

In the present embodiment, the incident end face of the light collector 8 is arranged substantially parallel to the panel 4 in FIG. With such a configuration, the light-collecting efficiency of the stimulated emission light generated on the panel 4 is highest, and read image information with a high S / N ratio can be obtained.

By the way, in order to allow the panel 4 to be used repeatedly, it is necessary to erase the latent image remaining even after the reading. Since this erasing can be performed by irradiating the panel 4 with strong light, as shown in FIG. 6, an erasing lamp 33 is provided substantially parallel to the light collector 8 and this lamp 33 is attached to the movable plate 31. Just fix it. Also, this lamp 33
In order to efficiently irradiate the panel 4 with the light therefrom, a shutter 35 is interposed between the panel 4 and the panel 4 so as to cover the panel 4 only when necessary and to face the panel 4 only when necessary. .

As for the mounting position of the erasing lamp 33, the power consumption is small when the erasing lamp 33 is close to the panel 4, and the lamp 33 itself can be reduced in size and weight. Further, by passing the excitation light 81 between the condenser 8 and the erasing lamp 33 as shown in FIG. 6, the dead space is reduced, and the device 5 itself can be made much more compact. As the erasing lamp 33 used here, there is a halogen lamp.

Since the light collector 8 and the erasing lamp 33 are integrated in the unit 30, it is possible to sequentially erase the portion where the reading is completed while reading the image, but the light of the erasing lamp 33 is collected. The scanning line that is incident on the optical body 8 or is currently being read
Irradiation of 80 causes a problem that it becomes a large noise and is detected by the photomultiplier 10.

Therefore, in order to prevent this, it is preferable to adopt a process in which reading is performed at the time of sub-scanning in the direction of arrow Y and erasing is performed at the time of returning to the opposite direction.

Also, in order to suppress the deterioration of the photocathode of the photomultiplier 10 due to the light at the time of erasing by the lamp 33, the scanning line 80 is used.
It is preferable to provide a light-blocking means 36 in the optical path from to the photomultiplier 10. In this way, the lamp light to the photomultiplier 10 can be cut off, the service life of the photomultiplier 10 can be extended, and the trouble of the next reading can be reduced.

In this case, the light-shielding plate used as the light-shielding means 36 may be replaced with a filter 9 that transmits stimulated emission light and attenuates excitation light.

As the light shielding means 36, a liquid crystal shutter can be used. Further, it is preferable that the light shielding means 36 can shield the erasing lamp light and also shield radiation at the time of photographing. In this case, a material to which a lead plate or the like is added is preferable.

By the way, the structure in which the unit 30 is moved as described above, and the unit
By moving 30, it can be used in place of the radiation detector. In this case, there is no need to newly provide a radiation detector, and it is not necessary to perform pre-reading or the like prior to the original reading. .

That is, the photodetector such as the photomultiplier 10 in the excitation / reading unit 30 can also be used as a radiation detector, and the radiation dose generated at the time of radiation irradiation, instantaneous light emission, When the specified amount is reached, a signal for stopping the irradiation of radiation is generated to prevent fluctuations in the amount of radiation to the panel 4 and stabilize the image recording conditions.
It is possible to accurately detect and measure the amount of radiation received on the panel 4 and adjust the reading gain of stimulated emission.

On the moving excitation / reading unit 30, a current / voltage converter, an amplifier and an A / D converter can be output from a digital signal instead of an analog signal which is easily affected by noise. Preferred from the point.

Since the apparatus of the present invention has a plurality of panels, the photographing cycle time can be reduced. Further, since a panel standby space for temporarily storing a panel that has been erased and before photographing, or a panel that has been photographed and before reading, is provided,
Continuous photographing of about one sheet can be easily achieved. Further, since the photographing unit and the reading unit are combined, it is possible to obtain image data immediately after photographing.

In the present invention, at the time of reading, the panel is temporarily fixed, and reading is performed only by the reciprocating movement of the excitation / read / erase unit. Therefore, the movement of the unit in the excitation light sub-scanning direction and the accuracy of the fixed position of the panel are performed. Please note that
The accuracy required for transporting the panels is relatively low.

In the present invention, the movement of the panel is only a linear movement in a direction perpendicular or parallel to the panel surface and does not include a rotational movement, so that the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced and the transport mechanism can be simplified. Also, during the movement of the panel, the contact with the transfer means or the panel holding means is limited to the end face of the panel and / or the edge portion very close to the end face,
Damage to the panel is reduced, and scratches on the panel surface do not appear as noise on the image.

The present invention is particularly preferably an apparatus for standing or lying for chest or abdominal radiography. For supine position,
It is preferable that the reading unit is located below the leg of the patient, since the volume occupied by the apparatus is reduced.

The stimulable phosphor used in the panel 2 of the present invention may be stimulated (stimulated excitation) such as optically, thermally, mechanically, chemically, or electrically after irradiation with the first light or high-energy radiation. Thus, the phosphor that shows stimulated emission corresponding to the irradiation amount of the first light or high-energy radiation, but is preferably a phosphor that shows stimulated emission by stimulated excitation light of 500 nm or more from a practical viewpoint. . As the stimulable phosphor,
For example, it is described in JP-A-48-80487. BaSO ₄ : AX, SrSO ₄ : AX described in JP-A-48-80489, JP-A-53-392
77 No. _{Li 2 B 4 O 7: Cu} , Ag , etc., Li ₂ O · in JP 54-47883
_{(B 2 O 2) x:} Cu and _{Li 2 O · (B 2 O} 2) x: Cu, Ag , etc., U.S. Patent
No. 3,859,527, a phosphor represented by SrS: Ce, Sm, SrS: Eu, Sm, La ₂ O ₂ S: Eu, Sm and (Zn, Cd) S: Mn, described in JP-A-55-12142. that ZnS: Cu, Pb phosphor general formula BaO · xAl ₂ O _3: Eu
A barium aluminate phosphor represented by the general formula: M ^II O
xSiO ₂ : alkaline earth metal silicate phosphor represented by A,
The general formula (Ba ₁ -xyMgx) described in JP-A-55-12143
Cay) FX: alkaline earth fluoride halide phosphor represented by eEu ²⁺ , a general formula LnOX described in JP-A-55-12144:
a phosphor represented by the general formula (Ba ₁ xM ^II x) FX: yA described in JP-A-55-12145;
-84389, a phosphor represented by the general formula BaFX: xCe, yA, and a general formula M ^II FX · described in JP-A-55-160078.
Rare earth element activated divalent metal fluorohalide phosphor represented by xA: yLn, general formula ZnS: A, CdS: A, (Zn, Cd) S: A, ZnS:
A, X and CdS: phosphors represented by A, X, and the following general formula xM ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ .NX ₂ : yA and M described in JP-A-59-38278.
₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ : a phosphor represented by yA, the following general formula nReX ₃ · mA
X _'2: xEu and _{nReX 3 · mAX' 2: xEu} , phosphor represented by YSM, and the following general formula ^{M I X · aM II X '} 2 · bM II X "3: cA
And an alkali halide phosphor represented by the formula:
Formula according to No. 00 M ^{I X:} bismuth-activated alkali halide phosphor, etc. represented by xBi the like. In particular, an alkali halide phosphor is preferable because a stimulable layer can be easily formed by a method such as vapor deposition or sputtering.

However, the stimulable phosphor used in the conversion panel according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described phosphor, and a phosphor that exhibits stimulable emission when irradiated with stimulating excitation light after being irradiated with radiation. Any phosphor may be used.

The conversion panel of the present invention may be a stimulable layer group comprising one or more stimulable layers containing at least one of the stimulable phosphors. Further, the stimulable phosphor contained in each stimulable layer may be the same or different.

The stimulable layer of the present invention may be formed by any of a coating method and a vapor deposition method.

The layer thickness of the stimulable layer of the panel of the present invention is different depending on the intended sensitivity of the conversion panel to radiation, the type of stimulable phosphor, etc., but when no binder is contained, 10 μm to 1000 μm.
m, more preferably selected from the range of 20μm ~ 800μm, when containing a binder 20μm
It is preferably selected from the range of from 1000 to 1000 μm, more preferably from the range of from 50 μm to 500 μm.

Examples of the support used in the present invention include various polymer materials, glass such as crystallized glass, ceramics, and metals.

Examples of the polymer material include films such as cellulose acetate, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, polyimide, triacetate, and polycarbonate. Examples of the metal include a metal sheet or metal plate of aluminum, iron, copper, chromium, or the like, or a metal sheet or metal plate having a coating layer of the metal oxide. Examples of the glass include chemically strengthened glass and crystallized glass. Examples of the ceramic include a sintered plate of alumina or zirconia. In the case of forming a photostimulable layer by a vapor deposition method, crystallized glass is preferable.

Further, the layer thickness of these supports varies depending on the material of the support to be used and the like, but is generally 80 μm to 5 mm, and from the viewpoint of easy handling, preferably 200 μm to 3 mm.
It is.

The surface of the support may be a smooth surface or a mat surface for the purpose of improving the adhesion to the upper layer.
In addition, the surface of the support may be an uneven surface, or may be a surface structure in which minute tile plates independent of each other are densely arranged.

In the conversion panel of the present invention, at least one or more protective layers can be further provided on the stimulable layer in order to protect the stimulable layer from a chemical stimulus from the external atmosphere, particularly from moisture.

As a material for forming such a protective layer, a material having good light-transmitting properties and which can be formed into a sheet shape can be used. Further, the protective layer preferably has a high transmittance in a wide wavelength range, and more preferably has a transmittance of 80% or more, in order to efficiently transmit stimulated excitation light and stimulated emission.

Examples of such a material include plate glass such as quartz, borosilicate glass, and chemically strengthened glass, and organic polymer compounds such as PET, OPP, and polyvinyl chloride. Here, for example, borosilicate glass shows a transmittance of 80% or more in a wavelength range of 330 nm to 2.6 μm, and quartz glass shows a high transmittance even in a shorter wavelength.

As a material for forming the protective layer, a sheet glass is preferred because it has excellent moisture resistance as well as transmittance.

The thickness of the protective layer is practically 10 μm to 3 mm, and is preferably 100 μm or more in order to obtain good moisture proofness. When the thickness of the protective layer is 500 μm or more, a conversion panel excellent in durability and durability can be obtained, which is preferable.

In the conversion panel of the present invention, a layer having a lower refractive index than the protective layer may be provided between the photostimulable layer and the protective layer. Further, a layer having a higher refractive index than the low-refractive-index layer may be provided between the photostimulable layer and the low-refractive-index layer. According to these protective layer configurations, the durability can be improved without impairing the sharpness of the image, which is preferable.

When an anti-reflection layer such as MgF ₂ is provided on the surface of the protective layer, the photostimulating light and the photostimulated light can be efficiently transmitted, and the effect of reducing the sharpness is preferably reduced.

The refractive index of the protective layer is not particularly limited, but is practically 1.4.
A range of ~ 2.0 is common.

Two or more protective layers can be provided as necessary. In particular, the constitution disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-15500, in which two or more layers having different hygroscopic properties are combined, is preferable because of its high moisture-proof property.

In the conversion panel of the present invention, the protective layer can also function as a support. In this case, the support referred to in the present invention may not substantially exhibit the function of supporting the photostimulable layer.

〔The invention's effect〕

 The following effects can be obtained by implementing the present invention.

(1) Since a plurality of panels are used, the photographing cycle time is reduced, and image information can be obtained immediately.

(2) Panels that have been erased / before shooting or panels that have been shot / read before can be temporarily stored in the panel standby space.
Continuous imaging of the same patient becomes possible.

(3) An excitation / read / erase unit having a complicated mechanism is integrated, and during reading, the panel is temporarily fixed and the unit is moved, so that high-quality data can always be obtained and the apparatus can be made more compact. It is possible.

(4) Since the panel is moved only in parallel without rotation, the apparatus can be downsized and the panel is less damaged.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a radiation image conversion method using the apparatus of the present invention. 11 radiation generator, 12 subject 13 radiation image conversion panel 14 stimulating excitation light source, 15 photoelectric converter 16 radiation image reproducing device 17 radiation image display device 18 2. Filter FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 are configuration diagrams (overhead views) showing one embodiment of the radiation image information recording and reading apparatus of the present invention, respectively. 1. Radiation image information recording and reading device 2. Radiation image conversion panel 3. Excitation / reading / erasing unit M, M '... Subject (patient) a, b, c, d, e, f ... Moving Position FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a means for transporting the panel or the panel holding means. 51, 52... Roller group, 53... Belt conveyor group FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a mechanism portion in which a panel is temporarily fixed and an excitation / read / erase unit is movably provided. 4 ... radiation image conversion panel, 5 ... device body 7 ... scanner, 8 ... light collector, 8a ... light collection end face 9 ... filter, 10 ... photomultiplier 21 ... frame, 22 ... Panel transport member 25… Motor, 26… Male thread rod 27… Guide rod 30… Excitation / read / erase unit 31… Movable plate, 32… Condenser lens 33… Erase lamp, 34… Reflector 35 shutter, 36 light blocking means 71, 72, 73 reflecting mirror 80 scanning line 81 excitation light

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hisanori Dono 1 Sakuracho, Hino-shi, Tokyo Konica Co., Ltd. Examiner Kiyoshi Shigemasa (56) References JP-A-61-200534 (JP, A) JP-A-63-175848 (JP, A) JP-A-61-95339 (JP, A) JP-A-61-107239 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03B 42 / 02 A61B 6/00 303

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of radiation image conversion panels having a stimulable phosphor layer, an imaging section for irradiating the panel with radiation irradiated from a radiation source to accumulate and record radiation image information, A reading unit having a reading unit that scans with the excitation light and photoelectrically reads the radiation image information, wherein the panel is moved from the imaging unit to the reading unit after the irradiation, First and second panels configured to move the panel from the reading unit to the photographing unit after reading, and to temporarily accommodate panels other than the panel being photographed or being read in the photographing unit and the reading unit. A standby space is provided, the panel at the time of imaging is arranged between the radiation source and the first panel standby space, and the panel at the time of reading is placed between the reading unit and the second standby space. And arranging the panel and moving the panel from the imaging unit to the reading unit and from the reading unit to the imaging unit in a direction perpendicular or parallel to the panel surface. apparatus.