JPH0267540A - Cassetteless ever-ready device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the fluorescent screen of an accumulative phosphor sheet (IP) from being damaged by providing a carrying guide means equipped with fixed guide plates facing each other, with a sheet-like flexible material being stuck to the surface of one of the guide plates for supporting the surface side of the IP. CONSTITUTION:A carrying guide means equipped with two guide plates 46 and 47 which can carry an IP 32 along a curved section while the IP 32 is put between the plates 46 and 47 and have difference radii of curvature in a state where the plates 46 and 47 are fixed in a facing state, with a sheet-like flexible material 150 being stuck to the surface which is brought into contact with the IP 32 of one of the guide plates 46 and 47 positioned on the surface side of the IP 32, is provided at the curved section of the carrying path of the IP 32. Since the flexible material 150 is stuck to the surface brought into contact with the IP 32 of one of the guide plates 46 and 47 on the surface side of the IP 32, the friction between the phosphor substance on the surface of the IP and a high-hardness surface of the guide plate, which results in scratches on the phosphor substance, can be prevented even when the IP 32 is carried between the two guide plates 46 and 47. Therefore, the fluorescent screen of the IP 32 can be prevented from being damaged and at the same time, the space efficiency can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a medical X-ray diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to a transport guide means for a stimulable phosphor sheet in a cassette-less copying apparatus using a voluminous phosphor sheet.

[Conventional technology]

In medical X-ray diagnostic equipment, transmitted X-rays from a subject are processed using an image intensifier (ImageIntensi).
fiar, hereinafter 1.1. ), while II
A so-called fluoroscopic imaging stand, which immediately performs imaging with X-ray film when necessary, is widely used.

The snapshot device is one of the components of this fluoroscopic imaging platform.
This is a device that transports and stores the above-mentioned X-ray film. For a while after the development of snapshot devices, a cassette containing X-ray film was moved from a standby position to a photographing position, a photograph was taken, and then returned to the standby position. So-called cassette-type quick copy devices were mainly used. However, this cassette-type quick-shooting device can generally only take one image at a time, and requires replacing the cassette each time one film or one subject is photographed. For this reason, there has been a demand for a quick-shooting device that is labor-saving and that can take pictures more quickly. The solution to these problems was a quick-shooting device called a cassette-less quick-shooting device. This cassette telephoto shooting device takes X-ray films one by one from a supply magazine that stores a large number of X-ray films, places them between two intensifying screens, moves to the imaging position, takes pictures, and This system automatically stores the images in a storage magazine after they are finished, and has become mainstream, replacing the cassette-type quick-shooting device.

On the other hand, in recent years, stimulable phosphor sheets have come to be used instead of X-ray films. stimulable phosphor sheet (I
What is a imaging plate (hereinafter referred to as IP)? When radiation such as X-rays and γ-rays is irradiated, a part of the energy of the radiation is accumulated, and then when excitation light such as visible light is applied,
A flexible material plate is coated with a phosphor that causes stimulated luminescence in response to accumulated energy. This stimulated luminescence is read by a photoelectric element, etc., and the read signal is used to obtain image information.
Finally, the image is created on a CRT or hard copy and used for diagnosis. This IP has the advantage of being able to be used repeatedly, as well as being able to correct the image quality through image processing, which reduces the radiation dose to the subject, and the image information is digital. Therefore, it has the advantage that it is easy to store and search images. Therefore, it has been desired to be able to use this IP in a cassette-less type snapshot device on a fluoroscopic imaging stand.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As mentioned above, the mainstream of snapshot devices using IP is the cassette type. For this reason, a cassette-less type IP speed copying device has come to be required for the same reason as was required for X-ray film.

By the way, when an IP is used in a cassette-less copying device (a cassette-less copying device capable of using an IP is hereinafter referred to as an IP cassette-less copying device), the IP generally has to be bent and transported. However, I
The phosphor coated on the surface of P is damaged when it rubs against something highly hard (for example, a metal guide plate) or when it is bent to less than about 50R. Once IP is damaged, it cannot be reused, so a transport mechanism is required that protects the surface from friction with highly hard objects and prevents bending below approximately 50R.

Conventional IP cassette-less snapshot devices take this point into account,
Transport was carried out using a belt. Fig. 2 shows an outline of the belt conveyance mechanism.
03, 205, 206 are rollers, 202, 207 are idlers for applying tension to the belts 204, 208,
209 is a guide plate for forming the curvature, 32A is an IP
It is.

In addition, in this Figure 2, a belt is used only at the bent part, but this is because the speed of the outer circumference is different between the straight line conveyance and the bent part, which may cause problems such as the belt being conveyed diagonally. This is how I do it. For reference, in the case of film, it is used only once, and the IP edges are not easily scratched, so for example, see Figure 3 (210, 21).
1,212° 213 is a conveyance roller, 214 is a guide plate,
32A uses a stainless steel plate with a polished surface like IP) as a guide plate. If conveyed using a belt, the surface will not be damaged, but since rollers are required to apply tension to the belt, space efficiency is poor, and belt maintenance must also be taken into account. It was something.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device that does not damage the phosphor screen of the IP even when the IP is bent and transported, and also to reduce the size of the device.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, two guide plates with different radii of curvature, which can insert and transport the IP between them, are fixed facing each other along the bend of the transport path for transporting the IP. This is achieved by providing a conveying guide means with a sheet-like flexible material affixed to the guide plate surface that supports the front side of the stimulable phosphor sheet.

[Effect]

Of the two guide plates with different radii of curvature, a flexible material is attached to the surface of the guide plate located on the front side of the IP that corresponds to the IP, so even if the IP is inserted between the two guide plates and transported, the IP It is possible to prevent friction with highly hard materials that would cause damage to the back surface phosphor. Moreover, since there is no need for rollers or the like to stretch the belt as in conventional belt conveyance mechanisms, space efficiency is also improved.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Note that this example uses X-ray film and IP
Since this study was carried out on a cassette-less fluoroscopic imaging table that can use both of the above, we will begin by explaining this cassette-less fluoroscopic imaging stand.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the general structure of the cassette-less fluoroscopic photographing table. An X-ray tube 1 irradiates an X-ray beam 5 onto a subject 2 lying on a top plate 6, and the X-rays transmitted through the subject 2 are incident on 1.1.4.

The object-transmitted X-ray information from 1.1.4 is displayed on a monitor (not shown) by a video system (not shown). While this image is being observed by a doctor or operator, it can be captured using Xa film or I
Photographed by P. The X-ray information transmitted through the subject 2 photographed on an X-ray film or IP is developed in the case of an used for.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the general structure of the cassette-less snapshot device. The snapshot device 3 includes an IP storage magazine 7 that removably stores photographed IP, an IP supply magazine 8 that stores unexposed IP, and an Xa film supply magazine that stores unexposed X-ray film. 9 and an xvA film storage magazine 10 for storing photographed X-ray film. Further, the quick copying apparatus 3 is provided with a holder 140 for holding X-ray films or IPs fed one by one from the above-mentioned X-ray film or IP supply magazine. This holder 140
can be moved along rod members 12 and 13 to an imaging position 11 (shaded area) by a drive mechanism (not shown), and after moving to this imaging position 11, the subject 2
(Fig. 4) is taken. When the photographing is completed, the holder 1.40 returns to the position surrounded by the dotted line (photographing standby position), and the xB film or IP is stored in the storage magazine.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the general configuration of the snapshot device. The IP supply magazine 8 and the storage magazine 7 are attached to the attachment/detachment port 26, and the X-ray film supply magazine 9 and the storage magazine 1O are attached to the attachment/detachment port 28. The take-out unit 30 takes out the X-ray film and the IP one by one.
In the case of this device, it is used for both X-ray film and IP.

The holder 140 has a two-layer structure, with the upper portion holding the IP film and the lower portion holding the XG film. The detailed configuration and operation of each part will be explained below, starting from the case where IP is used.

In the IP supply magazine 8, unphotographed IPs 32 are stacked. Then, when the operator takes a picture,
The IP 32 is taken out one by one by a supply unit 30 consisting of a suction pad 31 and its driving device (not shown), and its leading end is inserted between conveyance rollers 44 and 45. The conveyance rollers 44 and 45 are the conveyance rollers 61 and 6.
2, 63, 64, the guide plate pair 46, 47, the guide plate 65, and the transport rollers 48, 49, and the guide plate 50, which will be described later as they become the transport path for the X-ray film, form the carry-in path 35. However, these conveyance rollers are driven by a drive device (not shown).

In addition, a noise erasing device 80 for erasing noise remaining on the surface of the IP 32 and its control device 5, not shown, are provided in the middle of the conveyance path of the carry-in path 35. As a result, the IP32 taken out from the IP supply magazine 8 is transferred to the noise canceling device i! The IP 32 is conveyed to the noise canceling device 80, and the surface of the IP 32 is irradiated with light to erase any remaining noise. The guide plate pairs 77.78, 74.degree. 75, 76.77, and the conveyance rollers 71, 72.73 are separated from the above-mentioned conveyance rollers, etc., and swing in the six directions of arrows about the rotating shaft 79. A shunting mechanism 70 (driving mechanism, control device, etc. not shown) is formed. Then, the IP 32, which has been taken out from the above-mentioned IP supply magazine 8 and transported to the noise erasing bag [80 and whose noise has been erased, is placed between the pair of guide plates 77.78 and 74.75 of the shunting mechanism 7°.
Then, it is carried in between conveyance rollers 71 and 72. Note that at this time, the shunting mechanism 70 is in the position shown in the figure. The holder 140 has a 2M structure as described above. This holder 140 includes plate members 95 and 96.
．． 97 and springs 98, 99, 1 that support these plate members.
00, and an opening/closing mechanism 141 for pushing downward (details such as a drive mechanism and a control device are not shown). The plate members 95 and 96 have a low radiation absorption coefficient, and the plate member 97 is made of a material with a high radiation absorption coefficient to reduce backscattered radiation during imaging.
The movement of 97 and its amount are controlled separately. Of this holder 140, a member 103 supporting plate members 95, 96, 97° and springs 98, 99, 100 is moved on carrier member 94 in the directions indicated by arrows B and B' by a drive device (not shown). The structure is such that it is loaded on rollers 101 and 102 so that it can be loaded on rollers 101 and 102. A linear motion bearing 90.92 is fixed to the carrier member 94, and the above-mentioned rod member 12.13 is fixed to the main body of the cassette-less copying apparatus in correspondence with this linear motion bearing 90.92. and.

Carrier member 9 of member 103 in holder 140
4 and the movement of the carrier member 94 between the photographing position and the photographing standby position are performed by a drive mechanism (not shown).

When the IP 32 is transported to the shunting mechanism 70, the opening/closing mechanism 141 opens the space between the plate members 95 and 96, and the member 10
3 moves in the direction shown by arrow B'. Then, the conveyance roller 71°72.73 of the shunting mechanism 70 rotates, and the IP32
After being carried into the holder 140, the holder 140 moves in the direction shown by arrow B, and the opening/closing mechanism 141 closes the gap between the plate members 95 and 96, so that they are brought into close contact with the IP 32, respectively. The shunting mechanism 70 also rotates counterclockwise. Then, the holder 140 moves together with the carrier member 94 to the imaging position [(FIG. 4)], and the subject 2 is photographed. After the photographing is completed, the holder 140 returns to the photographing standby position, and the evacuation mechanism 70 rotates clockwise to close the opening/closing mechanism 14.
1 then pushes down the plate members 95 and 96 to a position where they can be inserted into the conveyor rollers 72 and 73. And holder 14
0 in the direction shown by arrow B', the plate member 95.9
6, and connect the end face of IP32 to the transport rollers 72 and 7.
Put it in between 3. After that, the IP 32 is transported toward the IP storage magazine 7. Note that the pair of guide plates 42 and 43 and the conveyance rollers 40 and 41 are connected to the IP discharge path 3.
7 is formed. Moreover, before the IP 32 is stored in the IP storage magazine 7, the IP 32 is read by a barcode reader 130.
The barcode attached to the back of P32 is read.

Note that the forced storage section 120 is provided to completely store the IP 32 in the IP storage magazine 7.

Next, the case of using an X-ray film will be explained. X
When the X-ray film is used, the X-ray film 34 is taken out one by one by the take-out unit 30 from the X-ray film supply magazine 9 in which unexposed X-ray films 34 are laminated, and the leading end of the X-ray film 34 is placed between the transport rollers 48 and 49. inserted into. Note that, as described above, these conveyance rollers 48 and 49 and the guide plate 5o form a part of the carry-in path 35. Also, I
The noise canceling device 80 used when using the P32 is prevented from operating by its control device (not shown). Then, the X-ray film is transported between the pair of guide plates 77, 78 and 74, 75 of the shunting mechanism 70, and between the transport rollers 71, 72, as in the case of using IP32. . Note that at this time, the evacuation mechanism 70 is in the position shown in the figure. When the X-ray film 34 is transported to the shunting mechanism 70 and photographed, the opening/closing mechanism 141 opens the space between the plate members 96 and 97, and the member 103 moves in the direction shown by arrow B'. Then, the conveyance rollers 71, 72, 73 of the shunting mechanism 70 rotate, and
The line film 34 is carried into the holder 140. Although not shown, intensifying screens are attached to the surfaces of the plate members 96 and 97 on the X-ray film 34 side, respectively.

After carrying the X-ray film 34 between the plate members 96 and 97, the member 103 moves in the direction shown by arrow B, and the opening/closing mechanism 141
closes the gap between plate members 96 and 97, and releases the X-ray film 34.
The shunting mechanism 70 rotates counterclockwise. The holder 140 is then moved to the machine image position (FIG. 4), and the subject 2 is photographed. After photographing, the holder 140 returns to the photographing standby position, and the opening/closing mechanism 141 closes to the plate member 96.9.
7 is now pushed down to a position where it can be inserted into the transport rollers 71 and 72, while the shunting mechanism 70 rotates it clockwise. Then, the holder 140 is moved in the direction shown by arrow B', and the end surface of the X-ray film 34 is moved between the transport rollers 71 and 72.
Put it in between. Thereafter, the X-ray film 34 is transported toward the X-ray film storage magazine 10. Here, the guide plate 60, Wi feed rollers 58, 59, conveyance rollers 54.55, guide plates 56.57, conveyance rollers 54, 55, guide plate 53, conveyance rollers 51.52
forms an X-ray film discharge path 36. In addition,
Before being stored in the X-ray film storage magazine 10, the information writing device 110 writes the name, age, date of imaging, imaging conditions, etc. of the subject 2 onto the X-ray film 34.

Next, a detailed enlarged view of the pair of guide plates 46, 47 of the carry-in path 35 is shown in FIG. In this figure 1, IP32A
A flexible material 150 is placed on the surface of the guide plate 47 that supports the surface side of the
is attached. The flexible material 150 is made of a material such as silicone rubber or velvet with a polished surface that will not damage the surface due to friction when the IP32A is transported.

Although not shown in this figure, there are also guide plates 77 at other bent portions.
The same applies to 78, 74.75, 76.77, and 42.43. In this way, by providing a set of guide plates at the bending part and pasting a flexible material on the guide plate surface that supports the front side of the IP, it is possible to transport the IP in a small space without damaging the surface of the IP. You will be able to do this.

Note that in this embodiment, a cassette-less snapshot device that can use X-ray film and IP in one device has been described, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this.
A cassette-less snapshot device that uses only IP may also be used.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, the IP is small and does not damage the phosphor on the surface.
The conveyance guide means can be configured as follows. As a result, it is possible to construct a compact cassette-less snapshot device that is easy to maintain.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conveyance guide means according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic diagrams showing a conventional conveyance guide means, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cassette-less fluoroscopic photographing table according to an embodiment. 5 is a perspective view showing the general structure of the snapshot device, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the internal structure of the snapshot device when X-ray film is used. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... X-ray tube, 2... Subject, 20... Cassette telegraph device, 32... IP, 46.47... Guide plate, 47... Flexible material. Certain 2 20 Otsuryo 3 Miyako

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a cassette-less copying device that uses a stimulable phosphor sheet, the curvature radius that allows the stimulable phosphor sheet to be inserted and conveyed along the bend in the conveyance path along which the stimulable phosphor sheet is conveyed. Two guide plates with different values are fixed facing each other, and a conveyance guide means is provided on the surface of the guide plates that supports the surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet, with a sheet-like flexible material affixed thereto. Features a cassette-less snapshot device.