JPH0455850A - Radiation image information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance working efficiency and to decrease the chances that IPs (accumulable phosophor sheets) are flawed by carrying the IPs by means of transporting sections from a feed section via a reading section to a loading section. CONSTITUTION:A 1st stacker 20 accepts plural pieces of actual cassettes 2F. The accepted actual cassettes 2F are delivered by each one sheet successively to the feed section 30 by a cassette delivering device 22 and the IPs are taken out in the feed section 30. The emptied cassette 2E from which the IPs are taken out is sent to a 2nd stacker 40. The recorded image information of the IPs are readout in the reading-out section 60. The IPs after the reading processing are loaded in the empty cassette 2E in the loading section 80. This cassette is housed in the 3rd stacker 90. The IPs are successively carried by the transporting sections 50 to 52 from the feed section 30 via the reading-out section 60 to the loading section 80. The working efficiency is improved in this way and the chances that the IPs are flawed are decreased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a device for reading radiation image information recorded on an IP (stimulable phosphor sheet).
The present invention relates to a radiation image information reading device that automatically performs operations from insertion of a cassette containing a cassette to removal of the cassette after reading processing.

(Prior Art) In an X-ray imaging device that irradiates a subject with X-rays and records changes in the intensity of the X-rays that have passed through the subject for diagnosis, X-ray imaging has conventionally been used as a method of recording transmitted X-ray images. films have been used. However, recently CR (Compute
A system called ed Radiography has been developed and is now in use. This system uses a phenomenon in which a stimulable phosphor sheet called IP is exposed to transmitted X-rays, and when it is irradiated with red laser light, it emits blue light and reproduces the photographed image.

This reproduced image is converted into an electrical signal using a photomultiplier tube, amplified, and then converted into a digital signal and stored.
Observe the X-ray image using a CRT or the like.

A radiation image reading device is a device that reads information recorded on this IP using the red laser light. As an example of such a radiation image reading device, the device shown in FIG. 9 is used. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a feed load section into which a cassette 2 containing a photographed IP recording image information is inserted, and an operator carries the cassette 2 and stores it therein. The IP contained in the cassette 2 inserted and housed in the feed load section 1 is
It is taken out and stored in the first stacker 3. The first stacker 3 is provided with a partition for each IP, and can accommodate 10 IPs. The IPs are taken out one by one from the first stacker 3 in order from the one inserted later, and in reading 1i54, the laser 5 is irradiated with a laser beam to emit light and the recorded data is read. The IP that has been read is
The remaining X-ray image is erased in the erasing unit 6 and the second
It is stored in the stacker 7, loaded again into the empty cassette 2 in the feed load section, and taken out. In this series of operations, everything except the loading and unloading of the cassette 2 into the feed loading section 1 is performed automatically.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a magazine feed section that stores a plurality of photographed IP sheets, and when handling magazines instead of the cassette 2, the magazine is inserted into the magazine feed section 8. The IP is taken out from the magazine, passes through the reading section 4, the erasing section 6, and then enters the I
It is stored in the P tray 9 and taken out.

The flow of the image reading process using the above device is explained in the first section.
Shown in Figure 0. To explain the process shown in the figure, the IP, which has been photographed and recorded with image information, is loaded into a cassette 2 and transported to an image information reading device.

The IP is taken out from this cassette 2 at the feed load section 1 and stored in the first stacker 3. 1st stacker 3
The IP is supplied to the reading section 4, where the image information is read, and the remaining recorded information is erased at the erasing section 6. After this IP is temporarily stored in the second stacker 7, it is stored in an empty cassette in the feed load section and returned to the photographing section as an unrecorded IP.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, looking at the cassette processing part of the radiation image information reading device mentioned above, the IP stored in the cassette 2
After taking out the IP, the IP is placed in the first stacker 3 for processing. However, in order to store the processed cassettes 2 into the feed load section 1, it must be carried out one by one, so it is necessary to process a plurality of cassettes. When doing so, it takes a lot of time and effort. Furthermore, as is clear from the process diagram in Figure 10, after the IP is taken out by the feed load section, it remains naked until it is inserted into the cassette 2 by the feed load section 1 after the reading process. carried and handled.

In addition, the IP taken out from the cassette 2 is temporarily stored in the first stacker 3 to compensate for the speed of reading, erasing, etc., but the IP is not protected in this first stacker 3. Since the IP is handled in a naked state without being exposed, there is a risk of damage, which shortens the lifespan of the IP, which is said to be able to be reused over 1,000 times.

The present invention was made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to be able to accommodate multiple cassettes containing IP at the same time, and to allow the operator to leave the cassettes unattended until all work is completed. It can improve work efficiency and also
To provide a radiation image information reading device that can reduce the chance of damaging IP by reducing the process of handling it naked.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems includes: a first stacker configured in a drawer shape for holding a plurality of real cassettes loaded with IPs in which radiographic image information is stored and recorded; , a cassette delivery device for delivering the real cassettes from the first stacker, a feed section for taking out the IP from the delivered real cassettes, and a cassette storage chamber for storing empty cassettes from which the IP has been taken out. , a second stacker having a drive mechanism for positioning the cassette storage chamber;
a reading section that reads radiation image information stored and recorded in the IP; a loading section that loads the IP sent from the reading section into the empty cassette sent from the second stacker; and the feeding section. a conveyance section that receives the IP taken out from the actual cassette from the feed section and conveys it to the reading section and the loading section in this order; and a third conveyance section that holds the actual cassette sent from the loading section until it is taken out. It is characterized by comprising a stacker.

Further, the second invention provides an I
The apparatus is characterized in that it includes an erasing section for erasing radiographic image information remaining in P.

Furthermore, the third invention includes a first stacker that holds a plurality of actual cassettes loaded with IPs in which radiographic image information or accumulated recordings are loaded, and a first stacker that holds a plurality of actual cassettes loaded with IPs in a loading section. This is characterized in that it shares the same stacker as No. 3.

(Operation) The first stacker receives a plurality of real cassettes. The accepted actual cassettes are sequentially delivered one by one to the feed section by the cassette delivery device, and the IP is taken out at the feed section. The empty cassette from which the IP has been taken out is sent to a second stacker, and the recorded image information of the IP is read by a reading section.

After the reading process, the IP is loaded into an empty cassette in the loading section and stored in the third stacker.

The above-mentioned IP is sequentially conveyed by a conveying section from a feed section, through a reading section, and to a loading section.

In the second invention, which includes an erasing section, residual image information of the IP sent from the reading section by the conveying section is erased in the erasing section, and the IP is loaded into an empty cassette at the loading section and stored in the third stacker. Ru.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, ]0 is an image information reading device (hereinafter referred to as this device)
It is composed of the following parts. Reference numeral 20 denotes a first stacker into which the actual cassette 2F containing the photographed IP is inserted and holds it. Hereinafter, the cassette loaded with IP will be referred to as real cassette 2F, and the cassette without IP will be referred to as empty cassette 2E. Real cassette 2
When storing 20 cassettes F in the first stacker, the first stacker 20 is pulled out to the stacker pull-out position 2 and the real cassettes 2F are inserted. FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of the first stacker 20. In the figure, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. The figure shows a state in which the first stacker 20 has been pulled out to the stacker pull-out position 21 and a plurality of actual cassettes 2F have been inserted. Returning to FIG. 1, reference numeral 22 denotes a cassette delivery device that takes out the real cassettes 2F one by one from the first stacker 20 and feeds the real cassettes 2F to the feed section 30. The actual cassette 2F is delivered to the cassette delivery device 22 by a holding plate 24 attached to a spring 23. 30 holds the lid of the real cassette 2F fed from the cassette delivery device 22 with a suction cup 3.
1 and a mechanism using links 32 to open the suction cup 33.
This is a feed section that takes out IP and sends it to the next stage by a mechanism using a link 34 and a link 34. 40 is the feed section 30
This is a second stacker that accommodates and holds the empty cassette 2E from which the IP has been taken out.

The structure of the second stacker 40 is shown in FIG. In the figure,
41 is provided in the second stacker 40 and contains an empty cassette 2E.
These partition walls form a cassette storage chamber 42 that accommodates one cassette each. A gate 43 is provided at the bottom of each cassette storage chamber 42 formed by each partition wall 4], and when the gate 43 is opened and the empty cassette 2E is dropped, the empty cassette 2E is sent to the next stage. .

A ball screw 44 is rotated by a motor 45 and is screwed into a nut 46 attached to the side wall of the second stacker 40. Returning to FIG. 1, reference numeral 50 denotes a conveying section that conveys the IP taken out from the real cassette 2F by the feed section 30 to the reading section 60, and 51 denotes a conveying section that conveys the IP from the reading section 60 to the erasing section 70.

Further, 52 erases image information remaining after reading by an erasing unit 7.
This is a transport unit that transports the IP erased with 0 to the load unit 80.

Here, the structure of the reading section 60 is shown in FIG. In the figure, 61 is an IP which is a stimulable phosphor sheet. 62 is a laser beam generator that generates excitation light to excite IrO2, and 63 is an IP6 by reflecting the laser beam emitted from the laser beam generator 62 and rotating a mirror.
This is a galvanometer mirror that scans recorded image information. The excitation light 64 reflected by the galvanometer mirror 63 hits IrO2 and generates stimulated light. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of photostimulated light 65 generated when the excitation light 64 hits IrO2. In the figure, the excitation light 64 reflected by the galvanometer mirror 63 passes through the slit of the condenser 65.
It is irradiated with rO2 to generate photostimulated light 66. Concentrator 65
The inner surface is finished with a mirror surface, and the structure is such that the stimulated light 66 is totally reflected and sent to the photodetector 67. Returning to FIG. 4, 68 and 69 are rollers (driving mechanism not shown) that hold IrO2 in the vertical position and move the IrO2 vertically by rotation. Performs sub-scanning.

Returning to FIG. 1, the erasing section 70 has a sodium lamp 71, and the IrO2 whose image information has been erased by irradiation with light is sent to the loading section 80 by the transport section 52. The load section 80 has a suction cup 81 and a link 82.
It has a function of storing IrO2 into the empty cassette 2E fed from the second stacker 40. At this time, IrO2
is turned upside down by the reversing unit 83 and stored in the empty cassette 2E with the stimulable phosphor screen facing inward.

Reference numeral 90 denotes a third stacker for storing the actual cassette 2F loaded with IrO2 in the loading section 80, and its structure is similar to that of the second stacker.
It has the same structure as the first stacker 20 shown in the figure, and the actual cassette 2F is held vertically by a spring 91 and a holding plate 92.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be explained with reference to the process diagram of FIG. 6. Actual cassette 2F that accommodates IPs photographed by the photographing unit 100 and recorded with image information
is first stored in the first stacker 20. 1st stacker 2
When storing the actual cassette 2F in the first stacker 2F,
0 to the stacker pull-out position 21 of the first stacker 20 outside the apparatus 10, and the actual cassette 2F is inserted into the first stacker 20 at this position. 1st stacker 20
A plurality of real cassettes 2F can be inserted into the cassettes 2F. When the insertion of the actual cassette 2F is completed, the first stacker 20 is housed in the apparatus 10. Inside the first stacker 20, the actual cassettes 2F are held vertically and are sequentially sent to the cassette delivery device 22 by a holding plate 24 to which a spring 23 is attached. The cassette delivery device 22 takes out the real cassettes 2F one by one from the first stacker 20 and sends them out to the feed section 30. In the feed section 30, open the lid of the actual cassette 2F using the suction cup 31 and link 32, and then open the lid of the actual cassette 2F using the suction cup 31 and link
4, the IP61 is taken out and delivered to the transport section 50. I
The empty cassette 2E from which P61 has been taken out is closed with a lid, and then sent to the second stacker 40 and held there. As shown in FIG. 3, the second stacker 40 has a granular structure partitioned by partition walls 41, and empty cassettes 2E are stored in each cassette storage chamber 42 formed by each partition wall 41. A cassette storage room 4 partitioned by this partition wall 41
A gate 43 is provided at the bottom of each cassette 2E, and by opening the gate 43, the necessary empty cassette 2E can be removed.
can be sent. In addition, the second stacker 40 has
As shown in FIG. 3, a drive mechanism is provided using a ball screw 44, a nut 46, and a motor 45. By rotating the motor 45 and moving the second stacker 40 left and right, any empty cassette 2E can be moved. This allows access to the cassette storage chamber 42 in which the cassettes are stored.

The IP61 taken out from the actual cassette 2F is transported to the transport section 50.
The data is sent to the reading section 60 by. In the reading section 60, the laser beam generated by the laser beam generator 62 is reflected by the galvanometer mirror 63, and irradiates the IP 61 to generate stimulated light 66. This light is reflected by a condenser 65 and detected by a photodetector 67. The IP 61 whose image information has been read in this manner is sent to the erasing section 70 by the transport section 51. The erasing section 70 is irradiated with light from a sodium lamp 71 to erase the image information remaining in the backward IP 61 after reading. The IP61 then transfers to the transport section 5.
2 to the loading section 80, and the inverting section 83 converts it to IP6.
] is flipped so that it is on the phosphor screen or inside the cassette.

The lid of the empty cassette 2E is opened by a suction cup 81 and a link 82, and the above IP61 is loaded, and the empty cassette 2E becomes a real cassette 2F and is stored in the third stacker 90. Here, the third stacker 90 is pulled out and the actual cassette 2F is taken out as required.

As explained above, in the device of this embodiment, multiple cassettes can be inserted, so the operator does not have to handle the multiple cassettes until processing is completed, and can leave the reading device. , work efficiency will improve.

In addition, not only is there no step for the operator to directly touch the IP, but the IP is held in the cassette until just before reading, and even after the image information is erased, the IP is immediately loaded into the cassette and the entire cassette is placed in the stacker. In order to store it in
There are fewer processes in which IP is handled bare, and the chances of damaging it are reduced.

Even though a plurality of cassettes can be inserted into the device at the same time, only one mechanism is required to take out the IP from the cassettes, which simplifies the mechanism.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, instead of providing the first stacker and the second stacker separately, they may be provided in the same drawer to omit the required space.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of still another embodiment.

In the figure, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals. This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only in that an erasing section 70 is not provided, and the other configurations are exactly the same. Therefore, as shown in the process diagram of FIG. 8, the erasing section 110 is located outside the apparatus 10 near the X-ray photographing section 100, and the erasing operation is performed separately, independent of the apparatus 10. Other than that, there is no change, so we will omit the explanation.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained in detail above, according to the present explanation, it is possible to store multiple cassettes at the same time, so the operator can leave the cassettes unattended until all cassettes have been read. This will enable you to improve your work efficiency. In addition, it is possible to reduce the process of handling IP nakedly.
There is less chance of damage to P, which has a great practical effect.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of the second stacker. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of the reading section. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the optical path in the reading section. The figures are process diagrams according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, Figure 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 8 is a process diagram according to the embodiment shown in Figure 7, and Figure 9 is a conventional image. Configuration diagram of information reading device, No. 10
The figure is a process diagram using the apparatus shown in FIG. 2E...Empty cassette 2F...Real cassette 1
0... This device 20... First stacker 2
2...Cassette delivery device 30...Feed section 40
...Second stacker 50.51. '52...Transportation section 60...Reading section 61...IP70...
・Erasing section 80...Loading section 90...Third stacker 20 First sword Sword 4 Fig.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A first stacker (20) configured in a drawer shape that holds a plurality of real cassettes (2F) loaded with IPs (61) in which radiation image information is accumulated and recorded; 20) to the actual cassette (2F)
a cassette sending device (22) that sends out the IP (61) from the delivered actual cassette (2F);
), a cassette storage chamber (42) for storing the empty cassette (2E) from which the IP (61) has been taken out, and a drive for positioning the cassette storage chamber (42). Mechanism (44, 4
5, 46); a reading unit (60) that reads the radiation image information stored and recorded in the IP (61); IP (61) to the second stacker (40
), and a load section (80) that loads the empty cassette (2E) sent from the feed section (30), and a load section (80) that loads the IP (61) taken out from the real cassette (2F) in the feed section (30).
a transport unit (50, 51,
52) and the actual cassette (2F) sent from the loading section (80).
A radiation image information reading device comprising: a third stacker (90) that holds the image until it is taken out. (2) After the reading unit (60) finishes reading the IP (
The radiographic image information reading device according to claim 1, further comprising an erasing section (70) for erasing radiographic image information remaining in the radiographic image information reading device (61). (3) A first stacker (20) holding a plurality of real cassettes (2F) loaded with IPs (61) in which radiographic image information is stored and recorded;
3. The radiographic image information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation image information reading apparatus shares a third stacker (90) holding a plurality of real cassettes (2F) loaded with cassettes (61).