JP5672244B2 - Radiographic imaging apparatus and radiographic imaging system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic image capturing apparatus and a radiographic image capturing system, and more particularly to a radiographic image capturing apparatus that resets each radiation detection element before capturing a radiographic image, and a radiographic image capturing system using the same.

  A so-called direct type radiographic imaging device that generates electric charges by a detection element in accordance with the dose of irradiated radiation such as X-rays and converts it into an electrical signal, or other radiation such as visible light with a scintillator or the like. Various so-called indirect radiographic imaging devices have been developed that convert charges to electromagnetic waves after being converted into electrical signals by generating electric charges with photoelectric conversion elements such as photodiodes in accordance with the energy of the converted and irradiated electromagnetic waves. Yes. In the present invention, the detection element in the direct type radiographic imaging apparatus and the photoelectric conversion element in the indirect type radiographic imaging apparatus are collectively referred to as a radiation detection element.

  This type of radiographic imaging apparatus is known as an FPD (Flat Panel Detector), and conventionally formed integrally with a support base (or a bucky apparatus) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A portable radiographic imaging device in which an element or the like is housed in a housing has been developed and put into practical use (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3).

  By the way, in radiographic imaging, when radiographic imaging is performed by exposing radiation from a radiation generating apparatus in a state where the radiographic imaging apparatus is not in a state suitable for imaging, a radiographic image obtained by radiographic imaging is obtained. May be unusable due to the degradation of image quality. Therefore, re-imaging is necessary. For example, when a radiographic imaging apparatus is used to capture a radiographic image for medical use, radiation is again applied to the patient as a subject, and the patient's The exposure dose increases, which is not preferable.

  Therefore, in order to ensure patient safety, the radiation generator is interlocked so that, for example, even if an operator such as a radiologist presses the exposure switch of the radiation generator, the radiation is not exposed alone. When it is determined that the radiographic imaging apparatus is in a state suitable for radiography, a signal indicating that the interlock is released (hereinafter referred to as an interlock release signal) is output to enable radiation exposure. The technique of doing is known (for example, refer patent document 4).

  Also, in order to make the radiographic imaging device suitable for radiographing and to obtain high-quality radiographic images, normally, before radiographic imaging, extra charges such as dark charges accumulated in each radiation detection element are released. Reset processing of each radiation detection element to be performed is performed (see, for example, Patent Documents 5 and 6).

  In the reset process of each radiation detection element, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 to be described later, an on-voltage is applied to each of the lines L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15b of the scanning driving unit 15, and the scanning line 5 Each thin film transistor (Thin Film Transistor, hereinafter referred to as TFT) 8 which is a switch means in which a gate electrode 8g (indicated as G in the figure) is connected to each of the lines L1 to Lx is turned on. Thus, extra charges are emitted from each radiation detection element 7 to each signal line 6 via each TFT 8.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the reset processing of each radiation detection element is performed by sequentially switching the scanning line 5 for switching the voltage applied from the gate driver 15b between the on voltage and the off voltage between the lines L1 to Lx. In many cases, the TFTs 8 that are turned on are sequentially switched. In the following, after the on-voltage is applied to the first line L1 of the scanning line 5, the on-voltage applied to the last line Lx of the scanning line 5 is switched to the off-voltage (indicated by the broken line in the figure). The reset process during the period of time) is referred to as a reset process Rm for one surface.

  And in the reset process of each radiation detection element, as shown in FIG. 17, the reset process Rm for one surface is often repeatedly performed.

  At this time, during the reset process Rm for one surface, a signal indicating that the exposure switch has been pressed by an operator such as a radiation engineer from the radiation generating apparatus side to the radiographic imaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as irradiation start). When the reset process is terminated even when the reset process Rm for one surface is not yet completed at the time when the signal is transmitted), the reset process is performed by the reset process Rm for one time. The amount of extra charge remaining in the radiation detection element 7 changes between the radiation detection element 7 that has been subjected to the above and the radiation detection element 7 that has not been reset.

  Thereafter, radiographic imaging is performed, and charges generated and stored in each radiation detection element 7 by irradiation of radiation, that is, image data are generated and stored in each radiation detection element 7. In the subsequent reading process, each of the radiation detection elements 7 reads out the extra charge remaining in the radiation detection element 7 as described above together with the original image data. Because of the difference in the amount of charge, the radiation detection element region that has been reset and the radiation detection element region that has not been reset on the radiation image that is finally generated based on image data, etc. There may be a problem that unevenness occurs.

  Therefore, in order to prevent such a phenomenon from occurring, even if an irradiation start signal is transmitted from the radiation generator side during the reset process Rm for one surface, as shown in FIG. The reset process is not completed until the reset process Rm for one minute is completed, the reset process is terminated when the reset process Rm for one surface is completed, each TFT 8 is turned off, and each radiation is irradiated by radiation irradiation. It is desirable that the electric charge generated in the detection elements 7 is shifted to a charge accumulation state in which the radiation detection elements 7 are accumulated.

JP-A-9-73144 JP 2006-58124 A JP-A-6-342099 International Publication WO2006 / 101233 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-240960 JP-A-9-131337

  However, with this configuration, as shown in FIG. 18, after an operator such as a radiographer presses the exposure switch, the above-described radiographic imaging apparatus does not perform the above process until the reset process Rm for one surface is completed. An interlock release signal is transmitted to the radiation generator, and based on this, radiation is emitted from the radiation generator to the radiographic imaging device.

  For this reason, the operator feels that the waiting time T from when the exposure switch is pressed to be irradiated with radiation until the radiation is actually irradiated from the radiation generating apparatus is long, and the radiographic image capturing apparatus In addition, there is a problem that a radiographic imaging system using the system is not always convenient for an operator.

  In the reset process before radiation irradiation, the reset process Rm for one surface is repeatedly performed in the state where the interlock is applied as described above until immediately before the radiation irradiation, and the exposure switch is pressed down. It is desirable that the waiting time T from when the interlock is released to when radiation irradiation is actually started be as short as possible.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is directed to a radiographic imaging apparatus capable of transmitting an interlock release signal immediately after receiving an irradiation start signal, and to such a radiographic imaging apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a radiographic imaging system capable of irradiating radiation promptly after an operator presses an exposure switch.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the radiographic imaging device of the present invention includes:
A plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of signal lines arranged so as to intersect with each other; a plurality of radiation detecting elements arranged in a two-dimensional manner in each region partitioned by the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of signal lines; ,
An off state and an on state are switched according to a voltage applied to the connected scanning line, arranged for each radiation detection element, and in the off state, the charge generated in the radiation detection element is retained, Switch means for releasing the charge from the radiation detection element in the ON state;
Scan driving means comprising: a gate driver that switches a voltage applied to the switch means via the scanning line between an on voltage and an off voltage; and a power supply circuit that supplies the on voltage and the off voltage to the gate driver. When,
The scanning line that switches the voltage applied from the gate driver of the scanning driving means between an on-voltage and an off-voltage is sequentially switched, and the resetting process for one surface is repeatedly performed to remain from each radiation detection element. Control means for performing a reset process for discharging electric charges;
With
When the control means receives the irradiation start signal via the communication means during the reset process for the one surface that is repeatedly performed during the reset process of each radiation detection element, the control means receives the irradiation start signal. The timing at which the reset process for one surface is performed to the end and radiation is irradiated after the reset process for the one surface is completed before the reset process for the one surface is completed. Then, an interlock release signal is transmitted through the communication means.

Moreover, the radiographic imaging system of the present invention is
The radiographic imaging device of the present invention,
A radiation generation apparatus comprising a radiation source that irradiates radiation to the radiation imaging apparatus, and an exposure switch that transmits at least an irradiation start signal when operated;
With
When the radiation generation apparatus receives the irradiation start signal from the exposure switch, the radiation generation apparatus transmits the irradiation start signal to the radiation image capturing apparatus, and receives the interlock release signal from the radiation image capturing apparatus. Radiation is emitted from the radiation source.

  According to the radiation image capturing apparatus and the radiation image capturing system of the system as in the present invention, when the reset process of each radiation detection element is performed by repeatedly performing the reset process for one surface, the process is performed when the irradiation start signal is received. The reset processing for the one surface is reset to the end, and radiation is irradiated after the reset processing for the one surface is completed prior to the end of the reset processing for the one surface. At this timing, an interlock release signal is transmitted to the radiation generator via the communication means. Therefore, after receiving the irradiation start signal from the radiation generation apparatus, it is possible to promptly transmit an interlock release signal from the radiation image capturing apparatus to the radiation generation apparatus.

  In addition, after the operator presses the exposure switch, an interlock release signal is promptly transmitted from the radiation imaging apparatus in this way, and radiation can be quickly emitted from the radiation source of the radiation generation apparatus. It is possible to shorten the waiting time from when the operator such as a radiologist presses the exposure switch until the interlock is released and the actual irradiation starts. The photographing system is convenient for the operator.

It is a perspective view which shows the radiographic imaging apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which follows the XX line in FIG. It is a top view which shows the structure of the board | substrate of a radiographic imaging apparatus. It is an enlarged view which shows the structure of the radiation detection element, TFT, etc. which were formed in the small area | region on the board | substrate of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the YY line in FIG. It is a side view explaining the board | substrate with which COF, a PCB board | substrate, etc. were attached. It is a block diagram showing the equivalent circuit of a radiographic imaging apparatus. It is a block diagram showing the equivalent circuit about 1 pixel which comprises a detection part. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on this embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the structure of an operation switch, (B) is a state which the button part was half-pressed, (C) is a figure explaining the state by which the button part was fully pressed. It is a timing chart explaining an interlock release signal being transmitted prior to the end of reset processing for one page. It is a figure explaining the time required for the reset process for one page, the time until the end of the reset process for one page, and the first set time. It is a figure explaining the time which the reset process for 1 surface requires, the elapsed time after starting the reset process for 1 surface, and the 2nd setting time. It is an image figure explaining that the line of the scanning line corresponding to the 2nd setting time is decided uniquely. It is a timing chart explaining the state which transmits an interlock release signal, and waiting time becomes short when elapsed time turns into the 2nd setting time. It is a timing chart explaining the state which transmits an interlock release signal immediately at the time of receiving an irradiation start signal, and that waiting time becomes short. It is a timing chart which shows the timing which switches the voltage applied to each scanning line between ON voltage and OFF voltage in the reset process for 1 surface. 6 is a timing chart for explaining that an interlock release signal is transmitted after a reset process for one surface is completed in a conventional case, and the waiting time is increased.

  Embodiments of a radiographic imaging apparatus and a radiographic imaging system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In the following description, the radiographic imaging device is a so-called indirect radiographic imaging device that includes a scintillator or the like and converts the irradiated radiation into electromagnetic waves of other wavelengths such as visible light to obtain an electrical signal. As will be described, the present invention can also be applied to a direct radiographic imaging apparatus. Although the case where the radiographic image capturing apparatus is portable will be described, the present invention is also applicable to a radiographic image capturing apparatus formed integrally with a support base or the like.

[Configuration of Radiation Imaging System]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the radiographic image capturing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured by housing a scintillator 3, a substrate 4, and the like in a housing 2.

  The housing 2 is formed of a material such as a carbon plate or plastic that at least the radiation incident surface R transmits radiation. 1 and 2 show a case in which the housing 2 is a so-called lunch box type formed by the frame plate 2A and the back plate 2B. However, the housing 2 is integrally formed in a rectangular tube shape. It is also possible to use a so-called monocoque type.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the side surface of the housing 2 is opened and closed for replacement of a power switch 36, an indicator 37 composed of LEDs and the like, and a battery 41 (not shown) (see FIG. 7 described later). A possible lid member 38 and the like are arranged. In the present embodiment, an antenna device 39 that is a communication unit for wirelessly transmitting and receiving image data and the like to an external device such as a console 58 (see FIG. 9) described later is embedded in the side surface of the lid member 38. It is.

  The installation position of the antenna device 39 is not limited to the side surface portion of the lid member 38, and the antenna device 39 can be installed at an arbitrary position of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1. The number of antenna devices 39 to be installed is not limited to one, and a plurality of antenna devices 39 may be provided. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure to transmit / receive image data and the like to / from an external device in a wired manner. In this case, for example, as a communication means, a LAN (Local Area Network) cable, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, etc. Are connected to the side surface of the radiation imaging apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a base 31 is disposed inside the housing 2 via a lead thin plate (not shown) on the lower side of the substrate 4, and an electronic component 32 and the like are disposed on the base 31. The PCB substrate 33, the buffer member 34, and the like are attached. In the present embodiment, a glass substrate 35 for protecting the substrate 4 and the radiation incident surface R of the scintillator 3 is disposed.

  The scintillator 3 is attached to a detection unit P, which will be described later, of the substrate 4. As the scintillator 3, for example, a scintillator 3 that has a phosphor as a main component and converts it into an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength of 300 to 800 nm, that is, an electromagnetic wave centered on visible light when it receives incident radiation, is used.

  In the present embodiment, the substrate 4 is formed of a glass substrate. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of scanning lines 5 and a plurality of signal lines are provided on a surface 4 a of the substrate 4 facing the scintillator 3. 6 are arranged so as to cross each other. In each small region r defined by the plurality of scanning lines 5 and the plurality of signal lines 6 on the surface 4 a of the substrate 4, radiation detection elements 7 are respectively provided.

  Thus, the entire region r in which a plurality of radiation detection elements 7 arranged in a two-dimensional manner are provided in each small region r partitioned by the scanning line 5 and the signal line 6, that is, shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. The region is a detection unit P.

  In the present embodiment, a photodiode is used as the radiation detection element 7, but other than this, for example, a phototransistor or the like can also be used. Each radiation detection element 7 is connected to the source electrode 8s of the TFT 8 serving as a switch means, as shown in the enlarged views of FIGS. The drain electrode 8 d of the TFT 8 is connected to the signal line 6.

  The TFT 8 is turned on when a turn-on voltage is applied to the connected scanning line 5 by the scanning drive means 15 described later, and is applied to the gate electrode 8g, and is stored in the radiation detection element 7. The electric charge that is present is emitted to the signal line 6. Further, the TFT 8 is turned off when the off voltage is applied to the connected scanning line 5 and the off voltage is applied to the gate electrode 8g, and the emission of the charge from the radiation detecting element 7 to the signal line 6 is stopped. The charges generated in the radiation detection element 7 are held and accumulated in the radiation detection element 7.

  Here, the structure of the radiation detection element 7 and the TFT 8 in this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG.

A gate electrode 8g of a TFT 8 made of Al, Cr or the like is formed on the surface 4a of the substrate 4 so as to be integrally laminated with the scanning line 5, and silicon nitride (laminated on the gate electrode 8g and the surface 4a). The first electrode 74 of the radiation detecting element 7 is connected to the upper portion of the gate electrode 8g on the gate insulating layer 81 made of SiN _x ) or the like via the semiconductor layer 82 made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si) or the like. The formed source electrode 8s and the drain electrode 8d formed integrally with the signal line 6 are laminated.

The source electrode 8s and the drain electrode 8d are divided by a first passivation layer 83 made of silicon nitride (SiN _x ) or the like, and the first passivation layer 83 covers both electrodes 8s and 8d from above. In addition, ohmic contact layers 84a and 84b formed in an n-type by doping hydrogenated amorphous silicon with a group VI element are stacked between the semiconductor layer 82 and the source electrode 8s and the drain electrode 8d, respectively. The TFT 8 is formed as described above.

  In the radiation detecting element 7, an auxiliary electrode 72 is formed by laminating Al, Cr, or the like on the insulating layer 71 formed integrally with the gate insulating layer 81 on the surface 4 a of the substrate 4. A first electrode 74 made of Al, Cr, Mo or the like is laminated on the auxiliary electrode 72 with an insulating layer 73 formed integrally with the first passivation layer 83 interposed therebetween. The first electrode 74 is connected to the source electrode 8 s of the TFT 8 through the hole H formed in the first passivation layer 83.

  On the first electrode 74, an n layer 75 formed in an n-type by doping a hydrogenated amorphous silicon with a group VI element, an i layer 76 which is a conversion layer formed of hydrogenated amorphous silicon, and a hydrogenated amorphous A p layer 77 formed by doping a group III element into silicon and forming a p-type layer is formed by laminating sequentially from below.

  At the time of radiographic imaging, radiation enters from the radiation incident surface R of the housing 2 of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 and is converted into electromagnetic waves such as visible light by the scintillator 3, and the converted electromagnetic waves are irradiated from above in the figure. Then, the electromagnetic wave reaches the i layer 76 of the radiation detection element 7, and electron-hole pairs are generated in the i layer 76. In this way, the radiation detection element 7 converts the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the scintillator 3 into electric charges.

  On the p layer 77, a second electrode 78 made of a transparent electrode such as ITO is laminated and formed so that the irradiated electromagnetic wave reaches the i layer 76 and the like. In the present embodiment, the radiation detection element 7 is formed as described above. The order of stacking the p layer 77, the i layer 76, and the n layer 75 may be reversed. Further, in the present embodiment, a case where a so-called pin-type radiation detection element formed by sequentially stacking the p layer 77, the i layer 76, and the n layer 75 as described above is used as the radiation detection element 7. However, it is not limited to this.

A bias line 9 for applying a bias voltage to the radiation detection element 7 is connected to the upper surface of the second electrode 78 of the radiation detection element 7 via the second electrode 78. The second electrode 78 and the bias line 9 of the radiation detection element 7, the first electrode 74 extended to the TFT 8 side, the first passivation layer 83 of the TFT 8, that is, the upper surfaces of the radiation detection element 7 and the TFT 8 are A second passivation layer 79 made of silicon nitride (SiN _x ) or the like is covered from above.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, one bias line 9 is connected to a plurality of radiation detection elements 7 arranged in rows, and each bias line 9 is connected to a signal line 6. Are arranged in parallel with each other. Further, each bias line 9 is bound to the connection 10 at a position outside the detection portion P of the substrate 4.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, each scanning line 5, each signal line 6, and connection 10 of the bias line 9 are input / output terminals (also referred to as pads) provided near the edge of the substrate 4. 11 is connected. As shown in FIG. 6, each input / output terminal 11 has a COF (Chip On Film) 12 in which a chip such as a gate IC 12 a constituting a gate driver 15 b of the scanning drive unit 15 described later is formed on a film. They are connected via an anisotropic conductive adhesive material 13 such as an anisotropic conductive adhesive film or an anisotropic conductive paste.

  The COF 12 is routed to the back surface 4b side of the substrate 4 and connected to the PCB substrate 33 described above on the back surface 4b side. Thus, the board | substrate 4 part of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 is formed. In FIG. 6, illustration of the electronic component 32 and the like is omitted.

  Here, the circuit configuration of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an equivalent circuit for one pixel constituting the detection unit P.

  As described above, each radiation detection element 7 of the detection unit P of the substrate 4 has the bias line 9 connected to the second electrode 78, and each bias line 9 is bound to the connection 10 to the bias power supply 14. It is connected. The bias power supply 14 applies a bias voltage to the second electrode 78 of each radiation detection element 7 via the connection 10 and each bias line 9. The bias power source 14 is connected to a control unit 22 described later, and the control unit 22 controls a bias voltage applied to each radiation detection element 7 from the bias power source 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in this embodiment, it can be seen that the bias line 9 is connected via the second electrode 78 to the p-layer 77 side (see FIG. 5) of the radiation detection element 7. In addition, the bias power supply 14 supplies a voltage equal to or lower than a voltage applied to the second electrode 78 of the radiation detection element 7 via the bias line 9 as a bias voltage on the first electrode 74 side of the radiation detection element 7 (that is, a so-called reverse bias voltage). Is applied.

  The first electrode 74 of each radiation detection element 7 is connected to the source electrode 8s of the TFT 8 (indicated as S in FIGS. 7 and 8), and the gate electrode 8g of each TFT 8 (FIGS. 7 and 8). Are respectively connected to the lines L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 extending from the gate driver 15b of the scanning driving means 15 to be described later. Further, the drain electrode 8 d (denoted as D in FIGS. 7 and 8) of each TFT 8 is connected to each signal line 6.

  The scanning drive means 15 is a power supply circuit 15a that supplies an on voltage and an off voltage to the gate driver 15b via the wiring 15c, and a voltage applied to each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 between the on voltage and the off voltage. A gate driver 15b that switches between the on state and the off state of each TFT 8 is provided.

  The scan driving unit 15 scans from the gate driver 15b when receiving a trigger signal from the control unit 22 (to be described later) at the time of reset processing of each radiation detection element 7, reading processing of image data from each radiation detection element 7, or the like. Switching of the voltage applied to each line L1 to Lx of the line 5 between the on voltage and the off voltage is started.

  In particular, at the time of resetting each radiation detection element 7, based on the trigger signal from the control means 22, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, the scanning drive means 15 turns on the voltage applied from the gate driver 15b. The lines L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 that are switched between the voltage and the off voltage are sequentially switched, and the reset process of each radiation detection element 7 performed while repeatedly performing the reset process Rm for one surface is started. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each signal line 6 is connected to each readout circuit 17 formed in the readout IC 16. In the present embodiment, the readout IC 16 is provided with one readout circuit 17 for each signal line 6.

  The readout circuit 17 includes an amplification circuit 18 and a correlated double sampling circuit 19. An analog multiplexer 21 and an A / D converter 20 are further provided in the reading IC 16. 7 and 8, the correlated double sampling circuit 19 is represented as CDS. In FIG. 8, the analog multiplexer 21 is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the amplifier circuit 18 is configured by a charge amplifier circuit, and is configured by connecting a capacitor 18b and a charge reset switch 18c in parallel to the operational amplifier 18a and the operational amplifier 18a. In addition, a power supply unit 18 d for supplying power to the amplifier circuit 18 is connected to the amplifier circuit 18.

Further, the signal line 6 is connected to the inverting input terminal on the input side of the operational amplifier 18 a of the amplifier circuit 18, and the reference potential V ₀ is applied to the non-inverting input terminal on the input side of the amplifier circuit 18. ing. Note that the reference potential V ₀ is set to an appropriate value, and in this embodiment, for example, 0 [V] is applied.

  The charge reset switch 18 c of the amplifier circuit 18 is connected to the control means 22, and is turned on / off by the control means 22. If the charge reset switch 18c is turned off and the TFT 8 of the radiation detection element 7 is turned on during the reading process of the image data from each radiation detection element 7, the charge released from each radiation detection element 7 is signaled. A voltage value corresponding to the amount of accumulated electric charge is output from the output side of the operational amplifier 18a by flowing into the capacitor 18b via the line 6 and accumulated therein.

  In this way, the amplifier circuit 18 outputs a voltage value according to the amount of charge output from each radiation detection element 7 and converts the charge voltage. When the charge reset switch 18c is turned on, the input side and the output side of the amplifier circuit 18 are short-circuited, and the charge accumulated in the capacitor 18b is discharged to reset the amplifier circuit 18. ing. Note that the amplifier circuit 18 may be configured to output a current in accordance with the charge output from the radiation detection element 7.

  A correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 19 is connected to the output side of the amplifier circuit 18. In this embodiment, the correlated double sampling circuit 19 has a sample and hold function. The sample and hold function in the correlated double sampling circuit 19 is turned on / off by a pulse signal transmitted from the control means 22. To be controlled.

  Then, the control means 22 controls the amplification circuit 18 and the correlated double sampling circuit 19 in the process of reading image data from each radiation detection element 7 after radiographic imaging, and is emitted from each radiation detection element 7. The charge is converted into a charge voltage by the amplifier circuit 18, and the voltage value after the charge voltage conversion is sampled by the correlated double sampling circuit 19 and outputted to the downstream side as image data.

  The image data of each radiation detection element 7 output from the correlated double sampling circuit 19 is transmitted to the analog multiplexer 21 (see FIG. 7), and is sequentially transmitted from the analog multiplexer 21 to the A / D converter 20. Then, the A / D converter 20 sequentially converts the image data into digital values, which are output to the storage means 40 and sequentially stored.

  The control means 22 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an input / output interface connected to the bus, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like (not shown). It is configured. It may be configured by a dedicated control circuit. And the control means 22 controls operation | movement etc. of each member of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 7 and the like, the control means 22 is connected with a storage means 40 constituted by a DRAM (Dynamic RAM) or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the above-described antenna device 39 is connected to the control unit 22, and each member such as the detection unit P, the scanning drive unit 15, the readout circuit 17, the storage unit 40, the bias power supply 14, and the like. A battery 41 for supplying electric power is connected. The battery 41 is provided with a connection terminal 42 for charging the battery 41 by supplying power to the battery 41 from a charging device (not shown) such as a cradle.

  As described above, the control means 22 controls the bias power supply 14 to set a bias voltage to be applied to each radiation detection element 7 from the bias power supply 14, or the charge reset switch 18 c of the amplification circuit 18 of the readout circuit 17. Various processes such as on / off control and transmission of a pulse signal to the correlated double sampling circuit 19 to control on / off of the sample hold function are executed.

  Further, the control means 22 starts these processes for the scanning drive means 15 at the time of reset processing of each radiation detection element 7 or at the time of read processing of image data from each radiation detection element 7 after radiographic imaging. A trigger signal for transmitting the signal is transmitted.

  In the present embodiment, the control means 22 turns on the voltage applied from the gate driver 15b of the scanning drive means 15 in the same manner as in the conventional case shown in FIG. The scanning line 5 that is switched between the voltage and the off-voltage is sequentially switched, and the reset process is performed while the reset process Rm for one surface is repeatedly performed. The configuration of 50 will be described later.

[Radiation imaging system]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the radiographic image capturing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the radiographic imaging system 50 includes, for example, an imaging room R <b> 1 that irradiates radiation and images a subject (part of a patient to be imaged) that is a part of a patient (not shown), and a radiographer or the like. The front chamber R2 in which various operations such as control of the start of radiation that the operator irradiates the subject is performed, and the console 58 disposed outside thereof are configured.

  In the radiographing room R1, a bucky device 51 that can be loaded with the radiographic imaging device 1 described above, a radiation source 52 that includes an X-ray tube (not shown) that generates radiation to irradiate a subject, and a radiation generation device 55 that controls the radiation source In addition, when the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 and the radiation generating apparatus 55 and the console 58 communicate wirelessly, a base station 54 provided with a wireless antenna 53 that relays these communications is provided.

  9 shows a case where the portable radiographic imaging device 1 is used by being loaded into the cassette holding portion 51a of the bucky device 51. However, as described above, the radiographic imaging device 1 is used as the bucky device 51. Or may be formed integrally with a support base or the like. Further, as described above, when communication between the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 and an external apparatus is performed via a cable such as a LAN cable, these cables are connected to the base station 54 as shown in FIG. It is also possible to configure such that information such as data can be transmitted / received by wired communication via a cable or the base station 54.

  The base station 54 is connected to the radiation generating device 55 and the console 58, and signals for LAN communication when transmitting information between the radiographic image capturing device 1 and the console 58 are transmitted to the base station 54. Is converted into a signal for transmitting information to and from the radiation generating device 55, and a converter (not shown) that performs the reverse conversion is incorporated.

  In the present embodiment, the front room R2 is provided with an operation console 57 for the radiation generating device 55. The operation console 57 is operated by an operator such as a radiologist to transmit radiation to the radiation generating device 55. An exposure switch 56 for instructing the start of irradiation is provided.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, the exposure switch 56 includes a rod-shaped button portion 56a having a predetermined stroke, and a housing that supports the button portion 56a so as to be movable in the stroke direction indicated by an arrow S in the drawing. It is comprised with the body part 56b. The button part 56a of the exposure switch 56 includes, for example, a cylindrical part 56a1 protruding upward from the casing part 56b and a columnar part 56a2 protruding further upward from the inside thereof.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the column portion 56a2 is pushed in the stroke direction S up to the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 56a1 (that is, when a so-called half-press operation is performed), the exposure switch 56 is operated. An activation signal is transmitted to the radiation generator 55 via the table 57. Upon receiving this activation signal, the radiation generating device 55 places the radiation source 52 in a standby state by starting rotation of the anode of the X-ray tube of the radiation source 52.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10C, when both the cylindrical portion 56a1 and the column portion 56a2 of the exposure switch 56 are pushed to the upper end portion of the housing portion 56b (that is, when a so-called full pushing operation is performed). The exposure switch 56 transmits an irradiation start signal to the radiation generator 55 via the console 57.

  When the radiation generation device 55 receives this irradiation start signal from the exposure switch 56, the radiation generation device 55 transmits the irradiation start signal to the radiographic imaging device 1 via the base station 54 by a wireless method or a wired method. Then, as will be described later, when receiving the interlock release signal transmitted from the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 via the base station 54, the radiation generation apparatus 55 emits radiation from the X-ray tube of the radiation source 52. It is like that.

  In addition to this, the radiation generating device 55 moves the radiation source 52 to a predetermined position so that the radiation image capturing device 1 loaded in the designated bucky device 51 can be appropriately irradiated with radiation, or the radiation direction thereof. Adjusting a diaphragm (not shown) so that radiation is irradiated within a predetermined region of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1, or adjusting the radiation source 52 so that an appropriate dose of radiation is irradiated Various controls such as these are performed on the radiation source 52. In addition, you may comprise so that operators, such as a radiographer, may perform these processes manually.

  Further, the radiation generating device 55 receives the radiation source 52 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of radiation irradiation from the radiation source 52 or when a radiation irradiation end signal is transmitted from the radiation imaging apparatus 1. The irradiation of radiation from the radiation source 52 is stopped by stopping the X-ray tube.

  The configuration and the like of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 are as described above. In the present embodiment, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 may be mounted and used in the bucky device 51 as described above. In other words, it can be used alone.

  That is, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is arranged on the upper surface side in a single state, for example, in a bed provided in the imaging room R1 or in a bucky apparatus 51B for supine imaging as shown in FIG. (See FIG. 1) The patient's hand, which is the subject, can be placed on the top, or the patient's waist, legs, etc. lying on the bed can be inserted between the bed and the bed. It has become. In this case, for example, radiation image capturing is performed by irradiating the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 with radiation from a portable radiation source 52B or the like via a subject.

  In the present embodiment, a console 58 constituted by a computer or the like that can process image data based on the image data transmitted from the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 and generate a final radiation image. Is provided outside the photographing room R1 and the front room R2. It is also possible to configure the console 58 so as to be provided, for example, in the front chamber R2. In addition, the console 58 is connected to or includes a storage means 59 composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like.

  For example, a preview image based on image data acquired by radiographic imaging is displayed on the console 58, or the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 is set between a wake-up state and a sleep state. Or a function that allows an operator such as a radiographer to create or select radiographing order information representing the contents of radiographic imaging performed in the radiographing room R1. It is also possible to configure so as to be configured appropriately.

[Reset processing and radiation irradiation start]
Hereinafter, the control configuration in the reset processing of each radiation detection element 7 in the radiographic imaging device 1 and the transmission and reception of signals between the radiation generation device 55 and the radiographic imaging device 1 regarding the start of radiation irradiation in radiographic imaging. A control configuration and the like will be described.

  Prior to radiographic imaging, the control means 22 of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 activates the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 by pressing the power switch 36 (see FIG. 1) of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 or from the console 58. When the state of the radiographic imaging device 1 is changed to an awake state by an instruction, or when a signal indicating that the reset process of each radiation detection element 7 is started from the console 58, the reset process of each radiation detection element 7 is performed. Is supposed to do.

  In the reset processing of each radiation detection element 7, as described above, the control unit 22 sequentially switches the scanning line 5 that switches the voltage applied from the gate driver 15 b of the scanning driving unit 15 between the on voltage and the off voltage. The reset process is performed while repeatedly performing the reset process Rm for one surface.

  That is, in the reset process of each radiation detection element 7, the control means 22 applies each on-line voltage L1 of the scanning line 5 to which the on-voltage is applied from the gate driver 15b of the scanning driving means 15 as in the conventional case shown in FIG. The on-voltage is sequentially applied to each of the lines L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 while switching .about.Lx.

  Then, when the irradiation start signal is transmitted from the radiation generation device 55 during the reset process of each radiation detection element 7, the control unit 22 resets one surface when the irradiation start signal is received. The process Rm is performed until the end. This is to prevent unevenness on the radiographic image as described above.

  Further, in the present invention, the control means 22 ends the reset process Rm for one surface, which is performed when the irradiation start signal is received from the radiation generator 55 as in the conventional case (see FIG. 18). Instead of transmitting an interlock release signal, as shown in FIG. 11, before the reset process Rm for one surface is completed, an interlock release signal is communicated via communication means such as the antenna device 39 before that. To come out.

  At that time, if the timing at which the control means 22 transmits the interlock release signal is too early, the radiation imaging apparatus 1 starts to irradiate radiation before the reset process Rm for one surface is completed, and some The radiation detection element 7 has a disadvantage that charges generated in each radiation detection element 7 due to radiation, that is, image data, is released to the signal line 6 side by the reset process and lost.

  Therefore, the control means 22 transmits an interlock release signal prior to the end of the reset process Rm for one surface performed at the time of receiving the irradiation start signal from the radiation generator 55. An interlock release signal is transmitted at a timing when radiation is emitted after the surface reset process Rm is completed.

  Specifically, after the control means 22 transmits an interlock release signal to the radiation generation apparatus 55 via the communication means such as the antenna apparatus 39, the irradiation of radiation is actually started from the radiation source 52 of the radiation generation apparatus 55. It takes time until ΔT is shown in FIG.

  At this time ΔT, when the antenna device 39 is used as a communication means, an interlock release signal transmitted from the antenna device 39 by a wireless method and received by the wireless antenna 53 (see FIG. 9) is converted into a wired signal by the base station 54. Information on the time for conversion, the signal converted into the wired system, and the interlock release signal transmitted from the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 by the wired system are transmitted to the radiation generating apparatus 55 by the converter in the base station 54. This includes the time for converting the signal into a signal when the radiation generator 55 receives the signal and the time from when the radiation generator 55 receives the signal until the X-ray tube of the radiation source 52 emits radiation.

  For this reason, the time ΔT depends on whether the signal transmission between the radiographic imaging device 1 and the base station 54 is performed by a wireless method or a wired method, the conversion efficiency of the converter in the base station 54, the radiation The time varies depending on the response time to the interlock release signal on the generator 55 side, and depends on the actual configuration of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 and the radiographic image capturing system 50 in which it is used.

  Therefore, as described above, in order to transmit the interlock release signal at the timing when radiation is emitted after the reset process Rm for one surface is completed, for example, radiographic imaging is actually performed. A first set time ΔT corresponding to the above time ΔT when the apparatus 1 is used in the radiographic imaging system 50 is obtained and set in advance through experiments or the like, and for example, the control means 22 of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 is controlled. The data is stored in a memory of a CPU or a memory provided in the FPGA. Also, the time τtotal required for the reset process Rm for one surface is stored in the memory of the CPU, the memory provided in the FPGA, or the like.

  Then, when starting the reset process of each radiation detection element 7, the control unit 22 reads out information on the first set time ΔT and the time τtotal required for the reset process Rm for one surface stored in the memory or the like. deep.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the control means 22 starts the reset process Rm for one surface from the time τtotal required for the reset process Rm for one surface every time the reset process Rm for one surface is started. The time τre until the end of the reset process Rm for one surface, which is calculated by subtracting the subsequent elapsed time τ, is measured.

  Then, when the control means 22 receives the irradiation start signal and the time τre until the end of the reset process Rm for one surface performed at the time is longer than the preset first set time ΔT, Wait until the time τre until the end of the reset process Rm for one surface reaches the first set time ΔT, and when the first set time ΔT is reached, the radiation generator via the communication means such as the antenna device 39 is used. An interlock release signal is transmitted to 55.

  Further, the control means 22 receives the irradiation start signal, and if the time τre until the end of the reset process Rm for one surface performed at the time is equal to or shorter than the first set time ΔT set in advance. The interlock release signal can be immediately transmitted to the radiation generating device 55 via the communication means such as the antenna device 39.

  In the present embodiment, instead of being configured to measure the time τre until the end of the reset process Rm for one surface as described above, the control unit 22 simply started the reset process Rm for the one surface. The later elapsed time τ is measured. As described above, the time τre until the end of the reset process Rm for one surface by subtracting the elapsed time τ after starting the reset process Rm for the one surface from the time τtotal required for the reset process Rm for one surface. This is to save the trouble of calculating the value.

  In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the time ΔT previously obtained by experiments or the like as shown in FIG. 13 is stored in the memory of the CPU or the memory provided in the FPGA constituting the control means 22 of the radiographic apparatus 1. The second set time τlimit calculated by subtracting from the time τtotal required for the reset process Rm for one surface is stored in advance.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the control means 22 measures the elapsed time τ after starting the reset process Rm for one surface and starts the irradiation start signal every time the reset process Rm for one surface is started. If the elapsed time τ is shorter than the second set time τlimit at the time of reception, the process waits until the elapsed time τ reaches the second set time τlimit. An interlock release signal is transmitted to the radiation generator 55 via the communication means.

  Further, when the elapsed time τ is equal to or longer than the second set time τlimit at the time when the irradiation start signal is received, the control unit 22 immediately interfaces with the radiation generation device 55 via the communication unit such as the antenna device 39. An unlock signal is transmitted.

  Instead of measuring the time τre until the end of the reset process Rm for one surface or measuring the elapsed time τ after starting the reset process Rm for one surface as described above, In the reset process Rm for one surface, the timing at which the interlock release signal is transmitted is managed depending on which line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 is switched between the on-voltage and the off-voltage. It is also possible to configure so as to.

  Specifically, in the reset process Rm for one surface, as shown in FIG. 17, the voltage applied from the gate driver 15b of the scanning drive unit 15 to the predetermined scanning line 5 for a predetermined on time is turned on. Switching is performed between the voltage and the off voltage, and the scanning lines 5 to which the voltage is applied in this way are always switched sequentially in a certain order (for example, the order of the lines L1 to Lx). Therefore, for example, as schematically shown in FIG. 14, the voltage applied when the elapsed time τ after the reset processing Rm for one surface is started becomes the second set time τlimit is the on-voltage. The line L of the scanning line 5 that is switched between the OFF voltage and the OFF voltage is uniquely determined to be the line Llimit.

  Accordingly, the line Llimit of the scanning line 5 in which the voltage applied when the elapsed time τ becomes the second set time τlimit is switched between the on voltage and the off voltage is selected in advance through experiments or the like. For example, the line number Llimit is stored in advance in a memory of a CPU constituting the control unit 22 of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 or a memory provided in the FPGA.

  In this case, the control means 22 applies the voltage applied from the gate driver 15b of the scanning drive means 15 to the line Llimit of the scanning line 5 selected in advance when the irradiation start signal is received. If the voltage applied to the line Llimit of the selected scanning line 5 is not changed, the voltage applied to the line Llimit of the selected scanning line 5 is waited until the voltage is switched between the on-voltage and the off-voltage. When the voltage to be switched is switched between the on-voltage and the off-voltage, an interlock release signal is transmitted to the radiation generation device 55 via communication means such as the antenna device 39.

  Further, when the irradiation start signal is received, a voltage applied from the gate driver 15b of the scanning driving unit 15 to the line Llimit of the scanning line 5 selected in advance in the reset process Rm for one surface performed at the time. After switching between ON voltage and OFF voltage, or during switching, an interlock release signal can be transmitted immediately.

  In the following, a case will be described in which the control unit 22 is configured to measure the elapsed time τ after starting the reset process Rm for one surface as in the present embodiment. The means 22 is configured to measure the time τre until the end of the reset process Rm for one surface, or when the irradiation start signal is received, the line Llimit of the scanning line 5 selected in advance is scanned. The same can be said for the case where the gate driver 15b of the driving unit 15 is configured to determine whether the on-voltage is applied before or after.

  Next, the operation of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 and the radiographic image capturing system 50 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  An operator such as a radiologist presses the power switch 36 (see FIG. 1) of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 to activate it, or the state of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 is changed to the awake state by an instruction from the console 58. When the control unit 22 of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 receives a signal indicating that the reset processing of each radiation detection element 7 is started from the console 58, the control unit 22 of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 starts reset processing of each radiation detection element 7, and FIG. The reset process Rm for one surface is repeated as shown in FIG.

  At that time, as shown in FIG. 13, the control means 22 reads the second set time τlimit stored in the memory of the CPU, the memory provided in the FPGA, etc. and starts the reset process Rm for one surface. Every time, the elapsed time τ after starting the reset process Rm for one surface is measured. In this case, if the irradiation start signal is not received during the reset process Rm for one surface, the elapsed time τ after the reset process Rm for one surface is started is reset, and a new one surface When the reset process Rm is started, measurement is newly resumed.

  The operator moves the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 from the imaging room R1 to the front room R2 after loading the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 in the Bucky apparatus 51 or after completing the alignment of the subject as the patient and the radiographic imaging apparatus 1. The exposure switch 56 of the table 57 is operated.

  Then, when the operator half-presses the button part 56a (see FIG. 10A) of the exposure switch 56 as shown in FIG. 10B, the radiation is emitted from the exposure switch 56 via the console 57. An activation signal is transmitted to the generator 55. When the activation signal is received, the radiation generator 55 puts the radiation source 52 into a standby state, for example, by starting rotation of the anode of the X-ray tube of the radiation source 52.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10C, when the button part 56a of the exposure switch 56 is fully pressed by the operator, the irradiation start signal is sent from the exposure switch 56 to the radiation generator 55 via the console 57. Is sent. When the radiation generation device 55 receives the irradiation start signal from the exposure switch 56, the radiation generation device 55 transmits the irradiation start signal to the radiation image capturing device 1 via the base station 54 by a wireless method or a wired method.

  When the control means 22 of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 receives the irradiation start signal from the base station 54 via the communication means such as the antenna apparatus 39, the process after the reset process Rm for one surface is started at that time. If the time τ is shorter than the second set time τlimit, the process waits until the elapsed time τ becomes the second set time τlimit. An interlock release signal is transmitted to the radiation generator 55.

  In this case, for example, the state shown in FIG. 15 is obtained, and the control unit 22 completes all the lines L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15b of the scanning driving unit 15 when the reset process Rm for the one surface is completed. An off voltage is applied to each TFT 8 to turn off each TFT 8, and a transition is made to a charge accumulation state in which charges generated in each radiation detection element 7 due to subsequent radiation irradiation are accumulated in each radiation detection element 7.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 15, when the radiation generating device 55 receives the interlock release signal transmitted from the radiographic imaging device 1 via the communication means such as the antenna device 39 or the base station 54, the radiation source 52. The X-ray tube is irradiated with radiation. For this reason, in this case, the reset processing Rm for one surface in the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is completed, and at the same time, the radiation source 52 of the radiation generation apparatus 55 is irradiated with radiation.

  As can be seen by comparing the case of this embodiment shown in FIG. 15 with the conventional case shown in FIG. 18, in the conventional case, the interlock release signal is sent after the reset process Rm for one surface is completed. Since the transmission was delayed, the irradiation start of the radiation from the radiation source 52 of the radiation generator 55 was delayed, but in this embodiment, the interlock release signal is transmitted before the reset process Rm for one surface is completed. The timing at which radiation irradiation from the radiation source 52 is started is advanced, and accordingly, the waiting time T from when the operator fully presses the exposure switch 56 until radiation is actually emitted from the radiation source 52 is shortened. It becomes possible.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the control means 22 of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 receives the irradiation start signal from the radiation generation apparatus 55 and, after that, the elapsed time τ after starting the reset process Rm for the one surface. Is equal to or longer than the second set time τlimit, an interlock release signal is immediately transmitted to the radiation generator 55 via communication means such as the antenna device 39. Further, the control means 22 shifts the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 to the charge accumulation state when the reset process Rm for the one surface is completed.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, after an interlock release signal is transmitted from the radiation image capturing apparatus 1, the interlock release signal is transmitted to the radiation generation apparatus 55 via a communication means such as the antenna apparatus 39 or the base station 54. The time until radiation irradiation from the radiation source 52 is started is the time ΔT described above.

  For this reason, conventionally, in this case as well, since the reset release signal Rm for one surface is completed, an interlock release signal is transmitted. Therefore, after the operator fully presses the exposure switch 56, the rest of the reset processing Rm for one surface remains. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, after the operator fully presses the exposure switch 56, the radiation is actually emitted after the elapse of time and the above time ΔT. The waiting time T until the radiation is irradiated from the radiation source 52 becomes equal to the above time ΔT, and the waiting time T becomes very short.

  As described above, according to the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 and the radiographic image capturing system 50 according to the present embodiment, irradiation is started when the reset processing Rm for one surface is repeatedly performed to reset each radiation detection element 7. The reset process Rm for the one surface performed at the time of receiving the signal is reset to the last line Lx of the scanning line 5 and the one surface before the end of the reset process Rm for the one surface. An interlock release signal is transmitted to the radiation generator 55 via communication means such as the antenna device 39 at the timing when radiation is emitted after the minute reset process Rm is completed.

  Therefore, after receiving the irradiation start signal from the radiation generator 55, it is possible to promptly transmit an interlock release signal to the radiation generator 55 from the radiation imaging apparatus 1.

  In addition, after the operator depresses the exposure switch 56, an interlock release signal is promptly transmitted from the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 in this way, and radiation can be quickly emitted from the radiation source 52 of the radiation generating apparatus 55. It becomes possible.

  Therefore, it is possible to shorten the waiting time T from when the operator such as a radiologist presses the exposure switch 56 until the interlock is released and the radiation irradiation is actually started. The radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 and the radiographic image capturing system 50 are easy to use for the operator.

  In the above-described embodiment, the power switch 36 of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 is pressed, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 is changed to an awake state, or reset processing of each radiation detection element 7 is started from the console 58. However, in addition to this, for example, the operator presses the exposure switch 56 halfway, and from the exposure switch 56, the reset process of each radiation detection element 7 is started. When the activation signal is transmitted to the radiation generation device 55, the activation signal is transmitted from the radiation generation device 55 to the radiation image capturing device 1, and the radiation image capturing device 1 resets each radiation detection element 7 using the activation signal as a trigger. It is also possible to configure to start.

  It is also possible to configure other operations or the like as triggers for starting the reset processing of the respective radiation detection elements 7, and an appropriate method is adopted as a method for starting the reset processing of the respective radiation detection elements 7. can do.

  Furthermore, in FIGS. 11 to 16, the case where the reset process Rm for the next page is started immediately after the reset process Rm for one page is completed has been described. However, the reset process Rm for one page is completed. After that, it is also possible to configure so that an interval of a predetermined time is left before the reset process Rm for the next one surface is started.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Radiographic imaging device 5, L1-Lx Scan line 6 Signal line 7 Radiation detection element 8 TFT (switch means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Scan drive means 15a Power supply circuit 15b Gate driver 22 Control means 39 Antenna apparatus (communication means)
50 Radiation Imaging System 52 Radiation Source 55 Radiation Generator 56 Exposure Switch Llimit Selected Scan Line r Region Rm Reset Process for One Surface ΔT First Set Time τ Progress After Start of Reset Processing for One Surface Time τlimit Second set time τre Time until the end of reset processing for one surface

Claims (5)

A plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of signal lines arranged so as to intersect with each other; a plurality of radiation detecting elements arranged in a two-dimensional manner in each region partitioned by the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of signal lines; ,
An off state and an on state are switched according to a voltage applied to the connected scanning line, arranged for each radiation detection element, and in the off state, the charge generated in the radiation detection element is retained, Switch means for releasing the charge from the radiation detection element in the ON state;
Scan driving means comprising: a gate driver that switches a voltage applied to the switch means via the scanning line between an on voltage and an off voltage; and a power supply circuit that supplies the on voltage and the off voltage to the gate driver. When,
The scanning line that switches the voltage applied from the gate driver of the scanning driving means between an on-voltage and an off-voltage is sequentially switched, and the resetting process for one surface is repeatedly performed to remain from each radiation detection element. Control means for performing a reset process for discharging electric charges;
With
When the control means receives the irradiation start signal via the communication means during the reset process for the one surface that is repeatedly performed during the reset process of each radiation detection element, the control means receives the irradiation start signal. The timing at which the reset process for one surface is performed to the end and radiation is irradiated after the reset process for the one surface is completed before the reset process for the one surface is completed. A radiographic imaging apparatus characterized in that an interlock release signal is transmitted via the communication means.   If the time until the end of the reset process for the one surface being performed at the time is longer than a preset first set time when the control means receives the irradiation start signal, the control means After waiting for a set time, an interlock release signal is transmitted via the communication means, and if the time is less than the first set time, an interlock release signal is immediately transmitted via the communication means. The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The control means receives the irradiation start signal, and if the elapsed time after starting the reset process for the one surface performed at the time is shorter than a preset second set time, After waiting until the set time of 2 is reached, an interlock release signal is transmitted via the communication means. If the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the second set time, the interlock release is immediately performed via the communication means. The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a signal is transmitted.   When the irradiation start signal is received, the control unit applies from the gate driver of the scanning driving unit to the scanning line selected in advance in the reset process for the one surface performed at the time. If it is before switching the voltage between the on-voltage and the off-voltage, after waiting until the voltage applied to the selected scanning line can be switched between the on-voltage and the off-voltage, then via the communication means The interlock release signal is transmitted, and the voltage applied from the gate driver of the scan driving means to the selected scanning line is switched between the on-voltage and the off-voltage, or after switching. The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an interlock release signal is immediately transmitted through the communication unit if the medium is in the middle. The radiographic imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A radiation generation apparatus comprising a radiation source that irradiates radiation to the radiation imaging apparatus, and an exposure switch that transmits at least an irradiation start signal when operated;
With
When the radiation generation apparatus receives the irradiation start signal from the exposure switch, the radiation generation apparatus transmits the irradiation start signal to the radiation image capturing apparatus, and receives the interlock release signal from the radiation image capturing apparatus. A radiation imaging system, wherein radiation is emitted from the radiation source.