JPH04320250A - Radiograph information recording and reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To evade the curve of a stimulable phosphor sheet while it is carried as much as possible, to prolong the life of the stimulable phosphor sheet and to miniaturize a reader and enhance processing efficiency, which are accomplished by making the carrying path short. CONSTITUTION:The stimulable phosphor sheet IP is carried out from a recording part 14 by the 1st carrying path 32 in a carrying-in direction and carried to a reading part 16. Meanwhile, the sheet IP is inverted and carried from a 1st photographing standby part 52a to a 2nd photographing standby part 52b by the 2nd carrying path 50 and carried out from the 2nd photographing standby part 52b in the carrying-in direction, thereby carrying the sheet in the recording part 14 again.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention records radiation image information of a subject on a stimulable phosphor sheet in a recording section, and then conveys this stimulable phosphor sheet to a reading section to read the image information. The present invention also relates to a radiation image information recording/reading device that erases remaining image information in an erasing section and conveys the image information to the recording section again.

0002

[Prior Art] In recent years, using stimulable phosphors, radiographic image information of objects such as the human body is stored and recorded on a sheet of stimulable phosphors, and then this is scanned with excitation light to produce stimulated luminescence. A radiation image information recording/reading device has been proposed that photoelectrically reads this stimulated luminescence light to obtain an image signal. When processing the image signals obtained by this device to generate a radiation image of a subject with good diagnostic suitability, the final image may be reproduced as a hard copy or as a visible image on a CRT. But that's fine.

[0003] In such a radiation image information recording/reading device, the stimulable phosphor sheet does not need to retain image information semi-permanently; Since it temporarily holds image information, this stimulable phosphor sheet may be used repeatedly, and such repeated use is extremely economical. Note that in order to reuse the stimulable phosphor sheet in this way, the radiation energy remaining in the stimulable phosphor sheet after the stimulated luminescence light is read must be
For example, JP-A-56-11392, JP-A-56-1259
The stimulable phosphor sheet may be emitted by the method shown in No. 9 to erase the remaining radiation image, and the stimulable phosphor sheet may be used again for recording radiation images.

[0004] Based on the above viewpoint, a recording section records radiographic image information of a subject on a stimulable phosphor sheet, a reading section reads the radiographic image information stored and recorded, and the image information on the sheet after the image reading is performed. A radiation image information recording/reading device has been proposed that is equipped with an erasing section that releases residual radiation energy, a recording section, and a conveyance system that circulates and conveys a stimulable phosphor sheet between the reading section (Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-16007).
No., JP-A No. 62-24239, etc.).

[0005]

Incidentally, the stimulable phosphor sheets used in such devices are frequently bent during transportation, so it is desirable to avoid bending as much as possible. This is because excessive stress is applied to the stimulable phosphor layer formed on the sheet, which may shorten the life of the stimulable phosphor sheet.

[0006] Therefore, when the transport system for the stimulable phosphor sheet in the radiographic image information recording/reading apparatus is constructed taking such conditions into account, the transport path becomes long, which causes the disadvantage that the apparatus becomes larger. occurs. On the other hand, in order to avoid the above-mentioned inconvenience, for example, the stimulable phosphor sheet whose image information has been read in the reading section is once transported to an erasing section branched from the conveyance system and erased, and then the sheet is stored again from the erasing section. It is conceivable to take out the fluorescent phosphor sheet and convey it to the recording section, thereby sharing the conveyance route, but in this case, the processing capacity would be reduced or the mechanism would be complicated. This results in inconveniences such as increased costs.

The present invention was made in view of this type of problem, and it is possible to prevent the stimulable phosphor sheet from being frequently bent during its transportation, and to enable efficient transportation processing of the sheet. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a radiographic image information recording/reading device.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording section that stores and records radiation image information of a subject on a stimulable phosphor sheet, and a recording section that stores and records radiation image information of a subject on a stimulable phosphor sheet. A reading unit that reads stimulated luminescence light obtained by irradiating light and generates an image signal related to radiation image information of the subject, and a reading unit that reads the radiation energy remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet after reading is performed. In the radiation image information recording/reading apparatus, the radiation image information recording/reading apparatus includes an erasing section that emits the stimulable phosphor sheet, and a transport system that circulates and transports the stimulable phosphor sheet between a recording section, a reading section, and an erasing section. After the stimulable phosphor sheet is carried out in a direction opposite to the carrying direction, the stimulable phosphor sheet carried out from the first conveyance path to the reading section and the stimulable phosphor sheet carried out from the erasing section are reversed. and a second conveyance path for transporting the recording medium to the recording section.

[0009]

[Operation] In the radiation image information recording/reading device of the present invention, the stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation image information has been stored and recorded in the recording section is conveyed out by the first conveyance path in the opposite direction to its conveyance direction. , and transported to the reading section. Next, the stimulable phosphor sheet is irradiated with excitation light in the reading section, and an image signal is generated from the obtained stimulated luminescence light. The stimulable phosphor sheet that has been read is transported to the erasing unit, where residual radiation energy is removed, and then the second stimulable phosphor sheet is
After being reversed by the conveyance path, it is carried into the recording section again.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the radiation image information recording/reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indicates a radiation image information recording/reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. This radiographic image information recording/reading device 10 includes a recording section 14 that stores and records a radiographic image of a subject M in an upright position on a stimulable phosphor sheet IP by radiation emitted from a radiation source 12; a reading section 16 that reads stimulated luminescence light obtained by irradiating the recorded stimulable phosphor sheet IP with excitation light and generates an image signal related to the radiation transmission image; and an erasing section 18 that releases the residual radiation energy on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP. These mechanisms are connected by a conveyance system 20 and surrounded by a casing 22 on a base 24 .

The recording unit 14 has an imaging platform 26 projecting from the front surface of the casing 22, and a scattered radiation removal grid (not shown) is disposed within the imaging platform 26. The conveyance system 20 from the recording section 14 to the reading section 16 once extends upward and then extends downward via the rollers 30 to form a first conveyance path 32 . In this case, the first conveyance path 32 extending downward functions as a reading standby section 34. Note that a radiation shielding plate 36 is disposed along this reading standby section 34.

The reading section 16 includes a pair of nip rollers 38a.
, 38b, an optical unit 40 irradiates the stimulable phosphor sheet IP with a laser beam L as scanning excitation light.
and a photomultiplier 44 which receives the radiation image information stored and recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP through the light guide 42 and converts it into electricity. We are prepared.

The erasing section 18 is disposed close to the roller 46 at the top of the conveyance system 20 that curves gently upward from the reading section 16 . The erasing unit 18 includes an erasing light source 45 such as a fluorescent lamp, and the erasing light from the erasing light source 45 erases the radiation energy remaining in the stimulable phosphor sheet IP.

The conveyance system 20 extends obliquely upward from the erasing section 18, and then is deflected by approximately 180° via the rollers 48 and extends diagonally downward, thereby forming a second conveyance path 50. do. In this case, the second conveyance path 50 extending diagonally upward and the second conveyance path 50 extending diagonally downward function as first and second imaging standby sections 52a and 52b, respectively.

Note that the rollers 30 constituting the first conveyance path 32 and the rollers 48 constituting the second conveyance path 50 are arranged close to each other, so that the recording from the second photographing standby section 52b Stimulable phosphor sheet IP for section 14
It is configured so that it can be transported.

Next, the operation of the radiation image information recording/reading apparatus 10 configured as described above will be explained.

First, the subject M is placed in a standing position in front of the photographing table 26, and the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is set in the recording section 14 so that its recording surface is directed toward the subject M.
Imaging is performed using radiation emitted from the radiation source 12. In this case, the image of the subject M transmitted by the radiation is accumulated and recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP.

The stimulable phosphor sheet IP on which the radiographic image has been recorded is transported upward by the transport system 20, then deflected by approximately 180° and transported downward by the first transport path 32, and then read. It is carried into the standby section 34. Here, when the reading section 16 is performing a reading operation on the previous stage stimulable phosphor sheet IP, the reading section 16 enters a standby state.

When the previous reading operation is completed, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is placed in the reading unit 1 with the recording surface facing upward.
It will be brought in on 6th. In the reading section 16, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is conveyed in the sub-scanning state while being nipped by nip rollers 38a and 38b, while the optical unit 4
A laser beam L from 0 is irradiated in the main scanning direction. As a result, the stimulated luminescent light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is guided to the photomultiplier 44 via the light guide 42 and converted into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is stored in a memory as radiation image information of the subject M, or transferred to another image output device as necessary.

On the other hand, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP from which the image information has been read is transported to the erasing unit 18 via the roller 46 under the action of the transport system 20, and then the erasing light source 45 is applied to the recorded surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP. The remaining radiation image information is erased by irradiation with erasing light from. Next, the first imaging standby section 5
2a and enters a standby state. Subsequently, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is turned approximately 180 degrees by the second conveyance path 50 and placed in the second photographing standby section 52b with its recording surface facing up.
It will be brought back to the station and put on standby again. Then, the recording section 14
When the image is ready for photography, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is carried into the recording section via the rollers 48 and 30, and is used for the next photography.

In the first embodiment, after the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is carried from the second imaging standby section 52b to the recording section 14 and recording is completed, it is switched back and transferred to the first transport path 32. is conveyed to the reading standby section 34 by. Furthermore, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP carried into the second imaging standby section 52b is switched back in the carrying direction via the same conveyance path, and is carried into the recording section 14. In this case, stress due to bending is applied to the stimulable phosphor sheet IP mainly in the first and second transport paths 32 and 50, and in other parts, stress is applied to the stimulable phosphor sheet IP.
Since P is not bent to an extreme degree, a long life of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is thereby achieved. Also,
Since a part of the transport system 20 is shared during transport, the transport path length is set short. As a result, it becomes possible to reduce the size of the radiation image information recording/reading device 10, and also achieve faster processing. Furthermore, since the transport system 20 from the reading section 16 to the erasing section 18 has one direction of transport, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP from which the radiation image information has been read is immediately carried into the erasing section 18. Since the erasing operation is started, the processing is further accelerated.

FIG. 2 shows a radiation image information recording/reading apparatus 60 according to a second embodiment. This radiographic image information recording/reading device 60 is for reading and recording a radiographic image of a subject M in an upright position, and is configured to read and record a radiographic image of a subject M in an upright position. After the phosphor sheet IP is once conveyed upward, it is conveyed downward by a first conveyance path 66 including rollers 64, reaches a reading standby section 67, and is further conveyed in a substantially horizontal direction via rollers 68. transported. Next, the radiation image information is read by the reading unit 72 while being conveyed upward via the guide plate 70 . Then, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP from which the radiation image information has been read is conveyed downward by a second conveyance path 76 including rollers 74, while being conveyed to the erasing section 7.
8, residual radiation energy is erased. After the erasing operation has been completed, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is switched back in the carrying direction and conveyed upward, and then conveyed in a substantially horizontal direction by rollers 80 to reach the photographing standby section 82, and then The paper is carried into the recording section 62 again via the rollers 64 of the first conveyance path 66 .

In the radiation image information recording/reading device 60 configured as described above, it is possible to avoid applying excessive stress to the stimulable phosphor sheet IP, as in the case of the first embodiment. 1 and 2nd conveyance path 66
, 76, the switchback conveyance of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP realizes shortening of the conveyance path and miniaturization of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 shows a radiation image information recording/reading apparatus 90 according to a third embodiment. This radiographic image information recording/reading device 90 reads and records a radiographic image of a subject M in an upright position, and is configured to read and record a radiographic image of a subject M in an upright position. The phosphor sheet IP is once conveyed upward and then conveyed laterally by a first conveyance path 96 including rollers 94 and 95 to reach a first reading standby section 98a. Next, the conveying direction is changed by approximately 180 degrees by the rollers 100, and the sheet reaches the second reading standby section 98b. And roller 10
2 and is conveyed horizontally from below to the reading section 10.
4, the radiation image information is read. The stimulable phosphor sheet IP from which the radiation image information has been read is
After being conveyed upward by the guide plate 106, it is conveyed laterally by the rollers 108, and reaches the erasing section 110.
Erasure of residual radiation energy takes place. After the erasing operation has been completed, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is conveyed by a second conveyance path 114 including rollers 112 by approximately 180 degrees, and is conveyed to the photographing standby section 116. Shooting standby section 116
When the recording unit 92 becomes ready for recording, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP carried into the storage unit 92 is switched back from the imaging standby unit 116 in the carrying direction, and then transferred to the roller 9 of the first conveyance path 96.
4 and is carried into the recording section 92 again.

In the radiation image information recording/reading device 90 configured as described above, a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets IP can be placed on standby in the front stage of the reading section 104, and the stimulable phosphor sheets IP of the first and second embodiments are Similarly to the above case, it is possible to avoid applying excessive stress to the stimulable phosphor sheet IP, shorten the transport route, downsize the device, and improve processing capacity.

FIG. 4 shows a radiation image information recording/reading apparatus 120 according to a fourth embodiment. In this radiation image information recording/reading apparatus 120, first, recording is performed by setting the subject M on the recording section 122 in a recumbent state. Recording section 12
2, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP in the recording section 122 is transferred to the first and second reading standby sections 1 by a first conveyance path 128 constituted by rollers 124 and 126.
30a and 130b. Next, the roller 132
, 134 to a reading unit 136, where the radiation image information is read. The stimulable phosphor sheet IP from which the radiation image information has been read reaches the erasing section 140 via the roller 138, where residual radiation energy is erased. The stimulable phosphor sheet IP after the erasing process is
After being carried into the first imaging standby section 143a, the roller 14
The conveyance direction is changed by approximately 180 degrees by the second conveyance path 144 including No. When the recording unit 122 becomes capable of recording, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP carried into the second imaging standby unit 143b is transferred to the second imaging standby unit 143b.
After switching back from the photographing standby section 143b in the carrying direction, it is carried into the recording section 122 again via the rollers 124 of the first conveyance path 128.

The radiographic image information recording/reading device 120 configured as described above enables imaging in a lying position, and also prevents excessive stress from being applied to the stimulable phosphor sheet IP, as in the above-described embodiment. This makes it possible to avoid additions, shorten the conveyance route, downsize the device, and improve processing capacity.

[0029]

Effects of the Invention According to the radiation image information recording/reading apparatus according to the present invention, the stimulable phosphor sheet is conveyed from the recording section in the opposite direction to the carrying direction through the first conveyance path, and then transferred to the reading section. After being transported and reversed by the second transport path, the recording material is transported into the recording section again by being transported in a direction opposite to the transport direction.

In this case, since the stimulable phosphor sheet is switched back in the first and second conveyance paths, the stimulable phosphor sheet is less likely to be bent. It is possible to achieve a longer service life. Further, a part of the conveyance path is shared, thereby shortening the conveyance path. Therefore, not only the size of the apparatus can be reduced, but also the processing speed can be increased by shortening the length of the transport path.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a cross-sectional configuration of a first embodiment of a radiation image information recording/reading apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a cross-sectional configuration of a second embodiment of the radiation image information recording/reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a cross-sectional configuration of a third embodiment of the radiation image information recording/reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a cross-sectional configuration of a fourth embodiment of the radiation image information recording/reading device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 60, 90, 120...Radiation image information recording/reading device 12...Radiation source 14, 62, 92, 122...Recording section 16, 72, 104, 136...Reading section 18, 78, 110, 140...Erasing section 20... Transport system 32, 50, 66, 76, 96, 114, 128, 14
4...Transport path IP...Stormable phosphor sheet M...Subject

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A recording unit that stores and records radiation image information of a subject on a stimulable phosphor sheet; and a recording unit that reads stimulated luminescence light obtained by irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet with excitation light; a reading unit that generates an image signal related to radiation image information; an erasing unit that releases residual radiation energy on the stimulable phosphor sheet after reading;
A radiation image information recording/reading device comprising a transport system that circulates and transports the stimulable phosphor sheet between a recording section, a reading section, and an erasing section, wherein the transport system is configured to transport the stimulable phosphor sheet carried into the recording section. After the sheet is carried out in the opposite direction to the carry-in direction, the stimulable phosphor sheet carried out from the first conveyance path to the reading section and the erasing section are reversed, and then the sheet is transferred to the recording section. A radiation image information recording/reading device comprising: a second conveyance path for conveying the information into the radiation image information recording/reading device.