JPH0567215B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a medical X-ray imaging device, and in particular to a medical X-ray imaging device that selectively takes out sheet films from a magazine filled with sheet films of different lengths.
The present invention relates to a device that is transferred to an imaging (exposure) stage and performs imaging of an X-ray image.

In recent years, in order to save labor, a large number of X-ray sheet films are loaded into a magazine at once, the films are sequentially transferred one by one to the imaging stage, and after the X-ray photograph is taken, the films are removed from the imaging stage. Linear film changers have become popular. At present, due to the mechanism of the apparatus, there are various restrictions on the size of the film used, the position of the film on the photographing stage, etc., as described below.

However, as this type of device becomes more widespread,
It is desired to develop a device that is easier to use. Here, a conventional example will be explained first, and then the present invention will be explained.

An example of a conventionally used film changer for chest imaging will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a system using this apparatus, in which 1 is an X-ray tube, 2 is a subject, 3 is a film changer, and 4 is a pedestal for supporting the film changer.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the film changer 3.
5 is a film of a first size, and 6 is a film of a second size different in width from the first size film. Reference numeral 7 indicates a supply magazine for storing a first size of unexposed film, 8 indicates another supply magazine for accommodating a second size of unexposed film, 9 indicates a receive magazine for collecting exposed film, and 10 indicates an already exposed film. It is a film of
Each magazine has a rectangular opening on its side surface suitable for loading and unloading film. Then 11,11'
is a suction cup connected to a suction pump (not shown), and is reciprocated between the illustrated position and the interior of the magazine by a moving mechanism. 12a to 12e are rotating rollers that have the function of sandwiching and moving the film between them. A guide plate 13 guides the film along the transfer route. 14 is a front intensifying screen fixed to an X-ray transparent fixing plate. Reference numeral 15 denotes a rear intensifying screen, which is fixed to a fixed plate that can be moved back and forth, and exposure is performed by sandwiching the sheet film between the two intensifying screens. A film stopper 16 supports the lower end of the sheet film. 17 is a film scraping lever that waits for the function to scrape off the sheet film after shooting. 18 is a rotating roller, and 19 is a guide plate, which has the function of moving the photographed film.

In Japan, large-angle film (354
mm x 354 mm) and the large four sizes (354 mm x 259 mm), and the large four sizes in particular use the longitudinal direction as the vertical direction.

However, in recent years, the physique of Japanese people has improved, and it has become possible to see patients who cannot fit into the large-angle size, or methods have begun to be used to image the abdomen at the same time as the chest. Due to reasons such as the fact that the clavicle has become more frequently diagnosed, there are more opportunities to use a half-cut size (430 x 354 mm) that is longer vertically than before. Since then, a half-cut size has been used for chest imaging. Furthermore, when photographing children, you may use a four-cut size (303
If you use a small film such as mm x 252 mm),
This avoids unsightly photos that take up a lot of wasted space, and it's also economical.

By the way, in the case of the conventional device explained in FIG.
After locking the sheet film with the stopper 16,
Since the intensifying screen is designed to pinch this, when using a sheet film shorter than the specified length, the gap between the position of the chin rest 3a of the changer 3 and the top of the film becomes too large, making it difficult to lift the changer main body. It is necessary to take steps to align the position where the film is set with the part of the subject to be photographed.
However, as the position of the main body rises, the subject's chin becomes an obstacle when taking a chest image (see Figure 1), and the subject's chest moves away from the chest, making it difficult to obtain sharp images. Become.
Further, if the distance between the chin rest 3a and the roller 12e is small, it is difficult to insert the sheet film, while if the distance is large, the upper part of the lungs cannot be photographed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray image photographing apparatus that enables imaging of the upper part of the lungs by reducing the distance between the chin rest and the upper end of the film at a fixed position.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

3 and 4 show a first embodiment. 101
105 is a film of a first size, and 106 is a film of a second size different in length from the film of the first size.
107 is a supply magazine for storing a first size of unphotographed film; 108 is another supply magazine for storing a second size of unphotographed film;
Reference numeral 09 denotes a receive magazine for collecting photographed film, and numeral 110 denotes a photographed film. Each magazine has a rectangular opening on its side surface suitable for loading and unloading film. Then 111, 11
1' is a suction cup connected to a suction pump (not shown),
Further, it is assumed that a moving mechanism is used to reciprocate between the illustrated position and the inside of the magazine. 112a-112
e is a rotating roller that has the function of sandwiching and moving the film between them. A guide plate 113 guides the film along the moving route. 1
14 is a front intensifying screen and an X-ray transparent fixing plate 114'
Fixed. 115 is a rear intensifying screen, and a fixed plate 11 is movable back and forth via a cushion 115'.
It is fixed at 5″.

Reference numerals 131 and 131'' (FIG. 4) are film support boxes, respectively, which are open at the top and one side, and the open sides face each other. 115, and when they approach each other, they almost form a thin box with an open top, and as described later, even if the film is curled when fed. It has an open shape at the top to ensure that it goes inside.

On the other hand, 132 and 132' are film support boxes 13
It is a rotating shaft implanted in the protrusion of 1, and 133a~
133f and 133'a to 133'f are the shafts 13, respectively.
These levers are rotatably attached via 4a to 134e and 134'a to 134'e, and these constitute a pantograph.
2'. 135 and 135' are position servo motors whose desired rotation amount is determined by a position control circuit. 136 and 136' are rotation shafts of servo motors 135 and 135', respectively, which are connected to the other end of the pantograph, and in this case, levers 133f and 133e or 13
Each pair of levers 3'f and 133'e is firmly connected to one of the levers, and rotatably connected to the other lever.

Also, although only a portion is shown, a similar pantograph and servo motor are connected to the film support box 131', and by appropriately rotating the position servo motors 135 and 135', the film can be moved. The support boxes 131 and 131' can be moved forward and backward symmetrically,
The sheet/film can be appropriately supported at a position between the intensifying screens 114 and 115, and can be moved to a position where it does not interfere with bringing the intensifying screen and the sheet/film into close contact, if necessary. Although the elevating mechanism is not shown, the servo motor 135,
135' etc. can be moved up and down according to the length of the sheet/film, which is convenient because it can handle sheets/film of various lengths.

A set of 140 and 140' and a set of 141 and 141' are gripping levers for temporarily gripping the upper end of the film, which are gripped and released by a control mechanism (not shown), and further grip the sheet/film. It is assumed that it is possible to move up and down and back and forth.

The operation of the above configuration is as follows. That is, the suction cups 111 and 111' attract the unphotographed film 105 or 106 one by one and sandwich it between the rollers 112a or 112b. roller 112
a or 112b and 112c and 112d rotate to transport the film between intensifying screens 114 and 115. At this time, the gripping levers 140, 140'
and 141, 141' are each in an open state.
Further, the film support boxes 131 and 131' receive the film fed by rollers, and are aligned in advance by servo motors 135 and 135' etc. so that the upper end of the sheet/film coincides with the upper end of the intensifying screen. When the sheet film leaves the roller 112e and falls into the film support box, the gripping levers 140, 140' and 141,
141' firmly pinches the upper end of the sheet film,
Servo motors 135 and 135' are then rotated to move film support boxes 131 and 131' out of the exposure field. When the withdrawal is completed, the rear intensifying screen support plate 115'' moves forward, and the intensifying screens 14 and 15 come into close contact with the front and back of the sheet/film.At this time, the gripping levers 140, 140' and 1
41, 141' move forward at the same time as the rear intensifying screen 115 with the sheet film sandwiched therebetween.

This completes the preparation for shooting, but after that, when the shooting is finished, the rear intensifying screen returns to its original position, but the lever
40, 140' and 141, 141' also move rearward. Subsequently, these levers move upward while holding the photographed film between them, and the end of the film is sandwiched between the rollers 112e pressed against each other. At this time, the roller 112e is assumed to be stationary,
Furthermore, this roller is configured to rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4 by a one-way clutch, but not in the opposite direction, so that after the film is sandwiched between the rollers 112e, each gripping lever is opened. The film will never fall. Next, the roller 112e rotates in the direction of the arrow, the rollers 112d and 112c rotate in the opposite direction, and the roller 118 rotates to feed the sheet film into the receive magazine 109.

In this example, a vertically long box-shaped member was used as the film support member, but this allows the sheet film to curl between the film support plate and the intensifier screen even if it curls. 〓There is no fear of falling from the gap. If the film support plate is simply a flat plate, it is best to attach a soft material such as a sponge to the edge of the support plate to fill the gap between the film and the intensifying screen. The support plate can now be moved without causing scratches. Furthermore, the size of the sheet film is not limited to two types of upper and lower lengths, but even if there are three or more types, if the vertical position of the support plate is changed to three or more levels, the intensifying screen and sheet film can be adjusted in the same way. The top edges can be aligned and conventional stoppers can be used for the longest sheets of film. On the other hand, the conventional method can be used for storing the sheet film in the receive magazine, and a belt can be used instead of a roller for transporting the sheet film.

5 and 6 show a second embodiment.
Among the reference numerals in the figure, the same members as those in the above-mentioned embodiment are given the same numbers, and 113, 1
19 is a guide plate for the sheet film, and 112f is a roller. Furthermore, 201 is a photo sensor,
This element is sensitive to wavelength light that does not sensitize the sheet film, and has a function of detecting the point in time when the sheet film passes by receiving light of a wavelength that does not sensitize the film, emitted from the issuing element 200. A pulse motor 202 drives the rollers 112a to 112f via a drive mechanism (not shown). 214 and 215 are support plates to which intensifying screens are attached, respectively, and as shown in a perspective view in FIG.
14a, 214b, 215a, and 215b. Note that the support plate 215 can be moved back and forth similarly to the embodiment described above.

In the above configuration, the unphotographed sheet film 1
05 or 106 as rollers 112a to 112
When the sheet film is transferred through the guide plate 113, the photo sensor 2
01 detects the end of the sheet film, and at that moment a detection signal is sent to the pulse motor 202, and the pulse motor 202 rotates by a preset number of pulses from the moment it receives this signal and then stops. The number of pulses is determined to correspond to the time required for the rear end of the film to exactly reach the upper end of the intensifying screen after passing the position of the photo sensor 201.

When the pulse motor stops, the final roller 112f stops holding the terminal (upper end) of the sheet film, so that the upper end of the sheet film coincides with the upper end of the intensifying screen. Subsequently, the roller 112f holding the film and the rear intensifying screen 215 simultaneously move forward, and the front and rear intensifying screens come into close contact with the sheet film.

When X-ray irradiation is performed in this state and the photographing is completed, the rear intensifying screen 215 and the roller 112 return to their original positions, and then the rollers 112f to 112c rotate in the opposite direction and the roller 118 rotates in the same direction, and the photograph is completed. The sheet film is fed into the receive magazine 109.

7 and 8 show a third embodiment,
In this embodiment as well, the same members as in the previously described example are given the same numbers. In addition, 302 and 302' are needles that can pass through both the front and back photosensitive paper even when the distance is the maximum.
It is assumed that these needles are inserted into or withdrawn from the photosensitive paper by a feeding/feeding mechanism 303. Also 3
Reference numerals 14a and 314b are minute holes penetrating the photosensitive paper and its support plate, through which a needle passes.

In addition, in the feeding and feeding mechanism, when the shorter sheet film is selected by the sheet film size selection device, the needle is fed out to support the shorter sheet film, and the upper end of the sheet film and the upper end of the intensifying screen are Can be matched. In addition, in the case of a normal long sheet film, the conventional stopper 16 is used as is, and the feeding mechanism 303
is supposed to house the needle.

With the above configuration, the sheet film is moved to the roller 11.
2e, etc., and is further moved by a roller 112f. The roller 112f rotates for a certain period of time with the film in between, but the sheet film does not reach the needle 3.
02 and 302' or when it is locked by the stopper 16, it is assumed that it will slip. In this state, the rear intensifying screen 315 advances and comes into close contact with the front intensifying screen 314 with the film sandwiched therebetween, and the roller 112f moves forward together with the rear intensifying screen while sandwiching the film.

When the photographing is finished, the rear intensifying screen 315 and the roller 112f move back, and when they come to rest in their original positions, the roller 112f firmly clamps the sheet film, and then
The roller rotates in the opposite direction and transfers the photographed sheet film to the receive magazine 109 in cooperation with other rollers.

Regarding storage in the receive magazine, the receive magazine may be arranged below the stopper 16, and the upper end of the receive magazine may be used as a storage opening, and the sheet film may be stored therein by falling naturally due to gravity.

9 and 10 show a fourth embodiment. In the figure, members having the same functions as those already described are given the same numbers, and 401 and 401' are support rods having a V-shaped groove at the tip, and are supported by a structure not shown. Each can move forward and backward, and can also move up and down. In addition, 140, 140' and 14
1,141' is the same gripping lever as described in FIG. 4, and 112e' is a transfer roller similar to 112e.

The sheet film fed from the supply magazine 107 or 108 is stopped by the support rods 401 and 401' which are in contact with each other at the center, and then the sheet film is stopped by the support rods 401 and 401'.
1,401' rises and stops at a position where the upper end of the sheet film and the upper end of the intensifying screen coincide. Then the gripping levers 140, 140' and 141, 14
1' grips the upper end of the sheet film, and when the sheet film is gripped, the support rods 401, 401'
The camera retreats from the photographing area and lowers to prepare for the next photograph. When the support rod is completely retracted, the rear intensifying screen 115 moves forward together with the gripping lever to clamp the sheet film together with the front intensifying screen.

When the photographing is completed, the rear intensifying screen 115 and the gripping lever return to their original positions, and the gripping lever rises slightly to sandwich the sheet film between the rollers 112e' to enable subsequent transport.

11 and 12 show a fifth embodiment, with FIG. 11 being a sectional view and FIG. 12 being a perspective view of the main part. In the figure, 601a and 601b are rotatable pulleys that are displaced by a moving structure (not shown) and reciprocate between positions m and n, respectively, and the shown position. Similarly, 601c to 601e are rotatable pulleys, and the pulley 601c is movable from position o to p, and the pulley 601d is movable from position o to position p.
is movable from position q to r, and pulley 601e is displaceable from position s to position t.

Next, 602 is a motor, 603 is a drive pulley, and the drive pulley 603 is driven by the motor 602. 604 is a wire and a pulley 601a
-601e and 603, and clippers 61, 61' are fixed to these wires.

In the above configuration, first, the clippers 61, 6
1' is set at position a or b. This operation is accomplished by selecting the pulleys 601c and 601d to the illustrated positions or positions o and q, rotating the motor 602 to move the wire, and stopping the clipper at the desired position. Next, as described above, after the unphotographed sheet film is sandwiched between the clippers 61, 61', the motor 602 is activated to pull the wire in the direction of the arrow, and move the clippers 61, 61' to position d.

Here, the sheet film is pressed between the intensifying screens 73 and 74, but as the rear intensifying screen 74 moves forward, the pulley 601a moves to position m, and the pulley 601a moves forward.
b is achieved by advancing to position n. At this time, the pulley 601e moves in the direction of position s to compensate for the change in the length of the wire.

When shooting is finished, pulleys 601a and 601
b returns to its original position, and pulley 601c returns to position p.
The pulley 601d moves to position r, and the pulley 601e moves to position t. When each pulley moves to a predetermined position, the motor 602 rotates, the drive pulley 603 sends the wire in the opposite direction of the arrow, and transports the clippers 61, 61' holding the photographed sheet film between them to position c. Then, the clippers 61, 61' are opened to store the sheet film in the receive magazine 53.

In this example, a combination of a pulley and a wire is used, but a combination of a gear and a chain, etc. may also be used.

As described above, according to the present invention, the member that holds the upper end of the sheet film in a fixed position moves forward toward the photographing stage side when the intensifying screen is brought into close contact with the sheet film. The distance between the chin rest and the top of the film can be narrowed for reception, making it possible to image the upper part of the lungs. Furthermore, the depth of the chin rest can be increased.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the state of chest X-ray photography. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a conventional device. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main part. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the main parts. Figure 7 is the third
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the main part. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the main part. FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the main parts. I is an X-ray tube, 2 is a subject, 3 is a film chain engineer, 3a is a chin rest of the film chain engineer, 4 is a mount, 106 and 107 are supply magazines, 109 is a receive magazine, 114 and 115
is an intensifying screen, 131 and 131' are film support boxes,
133a to 133f and 133'a to 133'f are levers, 135 and 135' are position servo motors,
140, 140' and 141, 141' are gripping levers, 112e is a roller, 113 and 119 are guide plates, 112f is a roller, 200 is a light emitting element, 2
01 is off sensor, 202 is pulse motor, 302 and 302' are needles, 314a and 314b
is a micro hole, 401 and 401' are support rods, 601a
~601e is a pulley, 602 is a motor, 60
3 is a drive pulley, and 604 is a wire.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A front intensifying screen fixed at the imaging stage position, a rear intensifying screen movable relative to the front intensifying screen, and fixing the subject's chin during imaging. a chin rest for transporting sheet films selectively taken out from among a plurality of types of sheet films of different lengths and transferred between the front side and rear side intensifying screens, to a lower part of the chin rest; gripping means for gripping the film substantially vertically so that its upper end is at a substantially constant position regardless of the film size at a position further back than the photographing stage; and a moving means for moving the gripping means toward the front side intensifying screen when the gripped sheet film is brought into close contact between the two intensifying screens, An X-ray imaging device characterized by taking an X-ray image of an examiner.