JP5627715B2 - Radiation generator, radiation imaging system, digital radiation detector holding device, and radiation generation system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a radiation generation apparatus, a radiation imaging system, a digital radiation detector holding apparatus, and a radiation generation system.

  Due to recent advances in digital technology, a method of obtaining a high-quality radiographic image by converting a radiographic image into an electrical signal, performing image processing on the electrical signal, and reproducing the image as a visible image on a CRT or the like has become widespread.

  FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a system using the above-described radiographic imaging apparatus. The radiographic imaging apparatus 1 disposed in front of the subject P includes a radiation detection sensor 2. The radiation emitted from the radiation generator 3 disposed behind the subject P is irradiated to the subject P. And the radiation which permeate | transmitted the to-be-photographed object P is converted into visible light through the fluorescent substance of the radiation detection sensor 2, and is detected as an electrical image signal by the photoelectric conversion element arranged in the two-dimensional lattice form. Further, the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 is connected with a control unit 4 that performs control such as reading control of an electrical signal from the sensor 2 and image transfer to the monitor 5. The control unit 4 displays the radiation image of the subject P on the monitor 5 after digital image processing of the image signal read from the radiation detection sensor 2. In such an imaging system, a detection panel is installed on a dedicated stand depending on the imaging mode such as standing or lying, and is used properly as necessary, and is generally fixed and installed in a radiation room.

  Recently, a portable X-ray detection unit has also been developed and used when imaging in an arbitrary imaging posture is necessary. As shown in Patent Document 1, by using such a general-purpose X-ray detector, the X-ray can be fixedly supported at a position facing the tube or separated from the support. An image capturing device has also been proposed.

  In the former, positioning is easy and high-precision alignment can be performed quickly. In the latter case, since the X-ray detection unit can be arranged at any position, it is possible to reduce the burden on an immovable subject and to take an image in accordance with the position of the subject on the X-ray imaging apparatus side. . That is, one X-ray image photographing apparatus can be used for two photographing forms, and convenience can be improved.

  FIG. 8 shows a configuration diagram of a general mobile C-arm type radiation imaging apparatus 11. A C-shaped arm member 14 is attached to the tip of the horizontal shaft 13 supported by the main body 12. The arm member 14 can be rotated and moved as indicated by an arrow. An X-ray generation unit 15 and an X-ray detection unit 17 detachably attached to the holder unit 16 are installed at both ends of the arm member 14 so as to be positioned and used in an arbitrary posture.

  The X-ray detection unit 17 can take an arbitrary posture by rotation Rh around the horizontal axis, rotation Rs along the trajectory of the arm member 14 itself, or the like. Accordingly, the posture of the X-ray detection unit 17 when attaching / detaching the X-ray detection unit 17 to / from the holder unit 16 is arbitrary, and the operation is performed after returning the posture of the arm member 14 to a position where the X-ray detection unit 17 can be easily attached / detached. There is a need.

JP-A-2005-470

However, the mobile C-arm type radiation imaging apparatus 11 described above may be accidentally dropped when the attachment / detachment direction of the X-ray detection unit 17 is in the direction of gravity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a radiographic imaging apparatus in which the above-described problems are solved and the imaging means can be safely and easily attached / detached even when the orientation of the imaging means is in an arbitrary state by setting the support means. There is.

Therefore, a radiation generation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a radiation generation unit, a holding unit that detachably holds a digital radiation detector that detects radiation by a photoelectric conversion element and obtains digital radiation image data, Radiation cannot be generated by the radiation generating unit in response to an instruction from a restricting member for restricting attachment / detachment of the digital radiation detector from the holding part and an instruction part for instructing release of the restriction by the restricting member. And a control means for controlling the operation.

  According to the radiographic image capturing apparatus of the present invention, both the safety and the operability can be satisfied in the attaching / detaching operation of the image capturing means even if the posture of the support means is arbitrary. By using such a radiographic imaging device, a useful system that can be used for various imaging such as moving images and cassette still images can be obtained.

2 is a cross-sectional view of an imaging unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a side view of the radiographic imaging device of Example 1. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart when removing the imaging unit according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is a configuration diagram of a support unit of an imaging unit according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart when removing a photographing unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an imaging unit according to a third embodiment. It is the schematic of the system using the conventional radiographic imaging apparatus. It is a block diagram of the conventional mobile C arm apparatus.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the photographing unit 21 in the first embodiment. The box-shaped housing 22 with the upper part opened is sealed with a housing lid 23 made of a material having a high X-ray permeability. A metal base 25 is fixed in the housing 22 via a support 24, and an X-ray image detection in which a substrate 26a, a photoelectric conversion element 26b, and a fluorescent plate 26c are stacked on the base 25. A panel 26 is provided.

  As the substrate 26a, a glass plate is often used because it does not have a chemical action with a semiconductor element, withstands the temperature of a semiconductor process, and requires dimensional stability. On such a substrate 26a, the photoelectric conversion elements 26b are formed in a two-dimensional array by a semiconductor process, and the fluorescent plate 26c is obtained by applying a phosphor of a metal compound to a resin plate and integrated by adhesion. .

  Further, the photoelectric conversion element 26b is connected to a circuit board 28 on which electronic components 28a and 28b for processing electric signals subjected to photoelectric conversion are mounted via a flexible circuit board 27 connected to the side surface thereof. The circuit board 28 is connected to a relay electrical circuit unit 30 via a cable 29, and further connected to an external control unit (not shown) via a cable 31 to perform power supply, signal transfer, and the like.

  A grip 32 is provided on the side surface of the photographing unit 21. In order to detect that the user has gripped the grip 32, the grip 32 has a built-in grip detector 33 that detects capacitance and pressure. The output of the grip detector 33 is a circuit board. 28.

  The imaging unit 21 obtains an X-ray image by detecting X-rays emitted from a tube that emits X-rays. When X-rays that have passed through a subject (not shown) from above the imaging unit 21 shown in FIG. 1 enter the imaging unit 21, the fluorescent plate 26c emits light. Then, the light is converted into an electrical signal by the two-dimensionally arranged photoelectric conversion elements 26b to obtain a digital image. The obtained digital image is transferred to the relay electrical circuit unit 30 via the cable 29 and then further transferred to an external monitor via the cable 31.

  Such a photographing unit 21 is used as a cassette alone or in combination with various supporting units. FIG. 2 shows a side view of a mobile C-arm type radiographic imaging device 41 in which the imaging unit 21 is combined. The radiographic image capturing device 41 supports a rotating horizontal shaft 43 on an upper portion of a main body 42 so as to be rotatable. An arm member 44 is attached to the tip of the rotating horizontal shaft 43. A holder portion 45 to which the photographing unit 21 can be detachably attached is fixed to the tip of the arm member 44. The holder portion 45 is provided with a locking member 46 for restricting attachment / detachment of the photographing unit 21 and an actuator 47 for driving the locking member 46. Further, the holder unit 45 is provided with an operation switch 48 for an operator to attach and detach the imaging unit 21 and a detector 49 for detecting the mounting of the imaging unit 21.

  On the other hand, inside the main body 42, a control unit 50 mainly including a CPU for setting conditions of the X-ray generator and controlling the C-arm movable unit is incorporated. The control unit 50 is connected with a gripping detector 33, a detector 49, an actuator 47, and an operation switch 48 via cables 31, 51, 52 and 53, respectively.

  FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the operation process of the radiation image capturing apparatus 41 in the operation of removing the image capturing unit 21.

  First, in step S1, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 41 stands by for a predetermined time in an imaging preparation state. Next, in step S <b> 2, the control unit 50 detects whether or not the operation switch 48 that instructs removal of the photographing unit 21 is selected. If the operation switch 48 is in the off state, it is determined that the shooting standby state is maintained, and the process returns to step S1. When the operation switch 48 is selected and the ON state is detected, the process proceeds to step S3 to set the photographing prohibited state. Specifically, the exposure switch for generating X-rays is not operated, the imaging condition setting on the C-arm console is made inaccessible, and the like.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 4, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the grip unit 32 is gripped based on the detection signal from the grip detector 33. When the gripping of the gripping part 32 by the user is detected, the process proceeds to step S5, and the control unit 50 operates so that the actuator 47 releases the restriction of the locking member 46. In step S4, when gripping of the grip portion 32 is not detected, the process returns to step S1.

  Then, in step S6, when a predetermined time enough for the operator to remove the photographing unit 21 has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S7. The control unit 50 detects whether or not the photographing unit 21 exists based on the signal from the detector 49. If it is detected that the photographing unit 21 has been removed, the process proceeds to step S8, and the control unit 50 proceeds to step S9 after canceling the attachment / detachment instruction state set by the operation switch 48, and again in the photographing standby state. Migrate to If the photographing unit 21 is not removed in step S7, the process returns to step S6.

  By constructing such a system, the photographing unit 21 cannot be removed unless the gripping unit 32 is securely gripped by the holder unit 45, so that the risk of accidentally dropping the photographing unit 21 is reduced. Can do.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration diagram of a radiographic image capturing apparatus according to the second embodiment. Since the mechanism for detachably supporting the imaging unit 21 ′ is the same as in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. FIG. 4 shows a state where the arm member 61 of the C arm is in a horizontal posture.

  A holder part 62 for holding the photographing part 21 ′ is provided at the tip of the arm member 61, and a plurality of locking members 63 for holding the photographing part 21 ′ are provided around the holder part 62. ing. When the mounted photographing unit 21 ′ is rotated in the direction of the arrow, the restriction of the locking member 63 is released. Further, the holder portion 62 itself is also configured to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow, and similarly to the control portion 50 in FIG. 2, the control portion 50 ′ (CPU) can switch whether the holder portion 62 can be rotated or not. It is like that.

  On the other hand, the imaging unit 21 ′ incorporates a regulating pin member 64 that can move in the radiation direction of the image receiving surface and an actuator 65 that drives the regulating pin member 64. It can be turned off. Further, gripping portions 66 and 67 are provided on both sides of the photographing unit 21 ′, and gripping detectors 68 and 69 for gripping detection are incorporated therein. Moreover, it has the detector 70 for detecting mounting | wearing of imaging | photography part 21 '. Outputs of the grip detectors 68 and 69 and the detector 70 are connected to the circuit board 28 in the imaging unit 21 ′ and output to the outside through the cable 31.

  When the imaging unit 21 ′ is attached to the holder 62, when the imaging unit 21 ′ is pressed against the holder 62 in the radiation direction of the image receiving surface of the imaging unit 21 ′, the locking member 63 is activated and the imaging unit 21 ′ is operated. It will be locked. At this time, when the detection and gripping parts 66 and 67 are released, gripping detection is turned off, and the rotation restriction by the restricting pin member 64 and the rotation restriction of the holder part 62 are applied.

  In the radiographic image capturing apparatus according to the second embodiment, the operator can perform two operations on the imaging unit 21 ′. As a first operation mode, in order to align the photographing unit 21 ′ at a desired angle, either one of the gripping units 66 and 67 of the photographing unit 21 ′ is gripped and rotated together with the holder unit 62. The second operation mode is an operation in which the photographing unit 21 ′ is rotated from the holder unit 62 to be attached and detached. That is, for such two operations, the operation mode is switched depending on how the gripping portions 66 and 67 are held.

  FIG. 5 shows an operational process flowchart of the above-described two switching operations of the radiographic apparatus according to the second embodiment. First, in step S11, the control unit 50 ′ determines whether or not the gripping detectors 68 and 69 in the gripping units 66 and 67 of the photographing unit 21 ′ have been detected. If the gripping of the gripping parts 66 and 67 is detected, the process proceeds to step S12. If not detected, the process returns to step S11.

  In step S12, the control unit 50 ′ determines whether or not there are a plurality of grip detections in step S11. If there is only one grip detection, the process proceeds to step S13 as a rotation operation in the first operation mode for photographing. In step S13, the rotation restriction of the holder part 62 is released. In step S14, the holder part 62 can be rotated by the operator, and the process returns to step S11.

  On the other hand, when a plurality of grips are detected in step S12, the control unit 50 ′ determines that the photographing unit 21 ′ is in the second operation mode, and performs control for prohibiting photographing in step S15. Furthermore, in step S <b> 16, the control unit 50 ′ moves the regulating pin member 64 by driving the actuator 65. As a result, the photographing unit 21 'can be rotated, and the attachment / detachment restriction is released. In step S17, since the holder part 62 itself is in a state in which rotation is restricted, when the operator moves the photographing part 21 ′ holding the grip parts 66 and 67 in the rotation direction, the photographing part 21 ′ and the holder part 62 are moved. It moves relatively, and the locking member 63 is released so that it can be attached and detached. Step S17 is not an operation of the radiographic image capturing apparatus, but is described for explanation.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 18, the control unit 50 ′ determines whether or not the imaging unit 21 ′ has been attached / detached based on a signal from the detector 70. When it is determined that the attachment / detachment has been performed, the process proceeds to step S19, and the control unit 50 ′ causes the radiographic image capturing apparatus to enter an imaging standby state. In step S18, when the photographing unit 21 'is attached, the process returns to step S17.

  When changing the angle of the photographing unit 21 ′ as in the first operation mode, the number of grips to be operated is one. That is, when only a single grip detector 68 or grip detector 69 is detected, the control unit 50 ′ moves the restricting pin member 64 by driving the actuator 65 to release the rotation restriction. On the contrary, when removing the photographing unit 21 ′, the risk of dropping the photographing unit 21 ′ can be reduced by grasping both the gripping parts 66 and 67. That is, the control unit 50 ′ cancels the attachment / detachment restriction when gripping is detected by both gripping detectors 68 and 69.

  FIG. 6 shows a configuration diagram of a radiographic image capturing apparatus according to the third embodiment. The mechanism for detachably supporting the photographing unit is substantially the same as the actual machine form described above. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member same as the member shown in FIG.

  Further, the holder portion 62 is provided with locking members 71 and 72 for holding the photographing portion 21 '. The locking member 71 is for restricting the leftward movement of the photographing unit 21 ′, and is configured to be rotatable about a shaft 73. On the other hand, the locking member 72 is for restricting movement in the normal direction relative to the image receiving surface of the photographing unit 21 and is configured to be rotatable about a shaft 74. The locking members 71 and 72 are connected to actuators 75 and 76 for operation, respectively, and the actuators 75 and 76 are connected to a control unit 79 mounted on an external support unit via a control board 77 and a cable 78. Has been. As in the second embodiment, the image capturing unit 21 ′ is provided with two gripping units 66 and 67. The gripping detectors 68 and 69 are connected to the control unit 79 via the circuit board 28 and the cable 31. Has been.

  When it is detected that only the grip part 66 of the photographing part 21 ′ is gripped, the information is transmitted to the control part 79. Then, the actuator 75 is actuated by an actuator actuation command from the control unit 79, and the restriction of the locking member 71 is released in conjunction with the actuator 75. As a result, the photographing unit 21 'can be pulled out to the left which is the first operation mode.

  On the other hand, when both the gripping portions 66 and 67 are gripped, the actuator 76 is actuated by the actuator actuation command from the control portion 79, the locking member 72 is rotated, and the photographing portion 21 ′ is Removal in the normal direction with respect to the image receiving surface which is the operation mode becomes possible.

  The support portion including the arm member 61 has a sensor that recognizes position information of the arm member 61. For example, when the conventional C-arm shown in FIG. 8 is used, the arm member 61 corresponds to the arm member 14, and the posture of the photographing unit 21 ′ is the rotation Rh around the horizontal axis and the rotation along the trajectory of the C-arm itself. It is determined by Rs or the like. The angle information in each rotation is monitored by the control unit 79, and the posture of the photographing unit 21 'is automatically calculated.

  And the control part 79 sets the mode which can attach or detach the imaging | photography part 21 'beforehand by the attitude | position of the imaging | photography part 21'. For example, in the first operation mode in which the photographing unit 21 ′ is pulled out to the side, since it is grasped with one hand, there is a possibility of dropping when the pulling direction of the photographing unit 21 ′ is downward. Ban. On the other hand, when the imaging unit 21 ′ is pulled out upward and the imaging unit 21 ′ is down, it is impossible for the operator to hold it with both hands. The operation mode is prohibited, and control is performed to enable only the first operation mode.

  With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the risk of accidentally dropping the photographing unit 21 ′ because the apparatus side selects a mode in advance according to the orientation of the holder unit 62.

  Note that the holder unit 62 to be combined is not limited to the photographing stand, and can be similarly configured by a standing stand, a universal stand, or the like.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist.

21, 21 ′ Imaging unit 26 X-ray image detection panel 28 Circuit board 32, 66, 67 Gripping unit 33, 68, 69 Gripping detector 41 Radiographic imaging device 44, 61 Arm member 45, 62 Holder unit 46, 63, 71 , 72 Locking member 48 Operation switch 49 Detector 50, 79 Control unit

Claims (20)

A radiation generator;
A holding unit that detachably holds a digital radiation detector that detects radiation by a photoelectric conversion element and obtains digital radiation image data; and
A restricting member for restricting attachment / detachment of the digital radiation detector from the holding portion;
Control means for controlling the generation of radiation by the radiation generation unit in response to an instruction from an instruction unit for instructing release of the regulation by the regulation member;
A radiation generator characterized by comprising: A radiation generator,
A radiation generator;
A holding unit that detachably holds a digital radiation detector that detects radiation by a photoelectric conversion element and obtains digital radiation image data; and
A restricting member for restricting attachment / detachment of the digital radiation detector from the holding portion;
Control means for switching between the first state in which the radiation generating unit can generate radiation and the second state in which generation of the radiation is prohibited, with respect to the radiation generating device,
Release means for releasing the restriction of attachment / detachment by the restriction member in response to an instruction to release the restriction in the second state of the radiation generating device;
A radiation generator characterized by comprising: The control means is configured to switch the radiation generating unit from the first state to the second state when the radiation generating unit is instructed to cancel the restriction in the first state. The radiation generator according to claim 2, wherein It further has posture detection means for detecting the posture of the holding unit,
The restriction is released according to the posture and the instruction.
The radiation generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation generation apparatus is a radiation generator. The radiation generation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the detected posture is a specific posture, the release unit does not release the attachment / detachment restriction even if the instruction is given. 6. The radiation generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising attachment / detachment detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of the digital radiation detector. A support part for supporting the holding part;
Recognizing means for recognizing the position of the support part,
The radiation generation apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the release unit releases the restriction of the restriction member based on position information from the recognition unit. The holding unit rotatably holds the digital radiation detector,
The restricting member restricts the attachment / detachment and the rotation.
The radiation generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation generation apparatus is a radiation generator. The radiation generator according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The digital radiation detector;
A radiation imaging system comprising: A C-arm,
The C arm is provided with the holding part at one end and the radiation generating part at the other end.
The radiation imaging system according to claim 9. A holding unit that detachably holds a digital radiation detector that detects radiation by a photoelectric conversion element and obtains digital radiation image data; and
A restricting member for restricting attachment / detachment of the digital radiation detector from the holding portion;
An output means for outputting a signal for prohibiting irradiation of radiation from the radiation generating section corresponding to the holding section in response to an instruction from the instruction section for instructing release of the regulation by the regulating member;
A holding device for a digital radiation detector, comprising: A holding unit that detachably holds a digital radiation detector that detects radiation by a photoelectric conversion element and obtains digital radiation image data; and
A restricting member for restricting attachment / detachment of the digital radiation detector from the holding portion;
A first signal indicating that radiation generation is possible for the radiation generation unit corresponding to the holding unit and a second signal indicating that generation of the radiation is prohibited are acquired. Acquisition means;
A release means for releasing the restriction of attachment / detachment by the restriction member in response to an instruction to release the restriction in a state where the second signal is received by the acquisition means;
A holding device for a digital radiation detector, comprising: The release means does not release the restriction of attachment / detachment by the restriction member when there is an instruction to release the restriction in a state where the first signal is received.
The holding device according to claim 12. It further has posture detection means for detecting the posture of the holding unit,
The restriction is released according to the posture and the instruction.
The holding device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the holding device is provided. The holding device according to claim 14, wherein when the detected posture is a specific posture, the release means does not release the attachment / detachment restriction even if the instruction is given. The holding device according to any one of claims 11 to 15, further comprising attachment / detachment detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of the digital radiation detector. A support part for supporting the holding part;
Recognizing means for recognizing the position of the support part,
Said releasing means, the holding device according to claim 1 2, characterized in that to release the restriction of the restricting member on the basis of the positional information from said recognizing means. The holding unit rotatably holds the digital radiation detector,
The restricting member restricts the attachment / detachment and the rotation.
The holding device according to claim 11, wherein the holding device is provided. A holding device according to any one of claims 11 to 18,
The digital radiation detector;
A radiation imaging system comprising: A holding device according to any one of claims 11 to 19,
The radiation generator;
A radiation generation system comprising:

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