JPH0675164B2 - Radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial field of application) The present invention relates to the following:
A radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing apparatus that reads the image information as an electrical image signal and reproduces a radiation image based on the image signal, and more specifically, stores the radiation image information in a stimulable phosphor sheet that stores radiation energy. The present invention relates to a radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing device for recording.

(Prior Art) When a certain kind of phosphor is irradiated with radiation (X-rays, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, ultraviolet rays, electron beams, etc.), a part of the energy of this radiation is accumulated in the phosphor. Then, when the phosphor is irradiated with excitation light such as visible light, the phosphor emits stimulated emission depending on the accumulated energy. A phosphor having such properties is called a stimulable phosphor (stimulable phosphor).

Using this stimulable phosphor, the radiation image information of a subject such as a human body is once recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet (hereinafter referred to as a stimulable phosphor sheet), and this is scanned by excitation light to emit light. A method has been proposed in which exhaust emission is performed, this stimulated emission light is photoelectrically read to obtain an image signal, and this image signal is processed to obtain a radiation image of a subject with good diagnostic suitability (for example, JP-A-55-55). No. 12429, No. 55-116340, No. 55-163472,
56-11395, 56-104645, etc.). This final image can be played as a hard copy or on a CRT. In such a radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing method, the stimulable phosphor sheet does not finally record image information, but temporarily stores image information in order to give an image to the final recording medium as described above. Since the stimulable phosphor sheet is carried, the stimulable phosphor sheet may be used repeatedly, and if it is used repeatedly, it is extremely economical.

In order to reuse the stimulable phosphor sheet as described above, the radiation energy remaining in the stimulable phosphor sheet after the stimulated emission light is read is determined by, for example, JP-A-56-11392.
As shown in No. 56-12599, the sheet is irradiated with light or heat to be emitted to erase the residual radiation image, and the stimulable phosphor sheet may be used again for recording a radiation image.

Therefore, the applicant of the present invention circulates a stimulable phosphor sheet capable of accumulating and recording a radiation image along a predetermined circulation passage, and irradiates the sheet with radiation through the subject in the circulation passage. By this, an image recording unit that accumulates and records the radiation image information of the subject on this sheet,
In the circulation passage, the excitation light source that emits excitation light for scanning the sheet on which the radiation image information is stored and recorded in the image recording unit and the stimulated emission light emitted from the sheet scanned by the excitation light are read. An image reading unit including a photoelectric reading unit for obtaining an image signal, and the sheet remaining in the circulation passage before the image is recorded on the sheet after the image reading is performed by the image reading unit. A radiation image information recording / reading device was previously proposed in which an erasing unit for emitting radiation energy is incorporated into one device, and the stimulable phosphor sheet is circulated between the respective units and repeatedly used. Sho 59-19224
No. 0). According to the radiation image information recording / reading device having such a structure, the radiation image information can be recorded and read continuously and efficiently.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, the radiation image information recording / reading apparatus having the above-described configuration circulates and conveys a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets along a circulation path to provide an image recording unit, a reading unit, and an erasing unit. Since they are sent in sequence, there is a problem that the size tends to increase. Also,
In order to reproduce the radiation image read by the above-mentioned device, an image reproducing device is additionally required. Therefore, when observing the reproduced radiation image for diagnosis, etc., go to a place where the image reproducing device is placed. Or, it is necessary to obtain the reconstructed radiographic image from that location.

Due to such a problem, it has been difficult for the conventional radiation image information recording / reading apparatus to meet the demand in the medical field for performing radiation image capturing everywhere and immediately observing the reproduced radiation image on the spot.

Therefore, the present invention provides a radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing apparatus which has a radiation image reproducing function in addition to the radiation image information recording (imaging) on the stimulable phosphor sheet and the reading function from the radiation image information recording / reproducing apparatus. It is intended to be provided.

(Means and Actions for Solving Problems) The radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is a storage for allowing a sheet to pass therethrough at one end of an apparatus housing for accommodating the storage phosphor sheet. An opening for passing a fluorescent phosphor sheet is provided, and the image recording unit is configured to irradiate the sheet arranged at the exposure position in the housing with radiation having image information, and the radiation image information is accumulated and recorded in the image recording unit. The stimulable phosphor sheet is irradiated with an excitation light beam, and the stimulated emission light emitted from the sheet is read by photoelectric reading means to obtain an image signal. On the stimulable phosphor sheet at a position near the opening in the housing, and a reading sub-scanning unit that moves between the exposure position and a position that protrudes out of the housing through the opening. The reading main scanning means for main scanning the excitation light beam is used to perform scanning and reading, and the erasing unit as described above erases an image (afterimage). While the recording sheet stored therein is carried out of the housing through the recording sheet carrying-out opening provided in the housing, an image reproducing section for reproducing and recording the image carrying the image signal on the recording sheet is provided, It is characterized in that reproduction and recording of images can be performed.

In reading the radiation image information from the stimulable phosphor sheet in the image reading unit having the reading sub-scanning means and the reading main scanning means as described above, is the stimulable phosphor sheet projected outside from the housing? Alternatively, the reading can be performed while entering the housing from the state of protruding outside the housing. Similarly, image reproduction and recording on the recording sheet can be performed while the sheet is unloaded from the housing. In other words, the space outside the housing is used as a sheet moving space for sub-scanning of the excitation light beam and conveyance of the recording sheet. Therefore, this housing is at least as small as the vertical and horizontal dimensions of one stimulable phosphor sheet. It can be downsized to a slightly larger extent.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an example shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus according to the present embodiment is, for example, formed of a main body 20 that can be stored in a wall surface 10 of an examination room of a hospital and the like, and a radiation source storage section 30. The main body 20 and the radiation source storage unit 30 are stored in the recesses 11 and 12 in the wall surface 10 respectively when not in use, and are pulled out of the wall surface 10 by gripping the handles 21 and 31, respectively, when in use.

2 shows the structure of the main body 20 in detail, and FIG. 3 shows the side shapes of the main body 20 and the radiation source storage portion 30. As shown in the housing 25 of the main body 20,
As an example, a stimulable phosphor sheet 22 in which the above-described stimulable phosphor layer 22B is formed on a plate-shaped support 22A is arranged. In this sheet 22, the support 22A is formed larger than the phosphor layer 22B, and the portions around the phosphor layer of the support 22A are holding portions 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the sheet 22 is arranged so that the phosphor layer 22B is located below the support 22A. The sheet 2
The holder 2 is held in the housing 25 by the holding portions 22b and 22d being slidably supported by the rail 23. The vertical and horizontal dimensions of the housing 25 are set to be slightly larger than the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the stimulable phosphor sheet 22. The upper surface of the housing 25, that is, the surface facing the sheet 22 from above when the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is housed in the housing 25 is an imaging table 32.
The above-mentioned radiation source storage unit 30 stores therein a radiation source 33 such as an X-ray tube. In the use state in which the radiation source storage unit 30 and the main body 20 are pulled out from the wall surface 10, the radiation source 33 is It opposes the photographing table 32 (see FIG. 3). Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, one end portion of the housing 25 (handle 21
The side end portion) is provided with an elongated opening 25a facing the end face of the stimulable phosphor sheet 22. The housing 25 is lined with a radiation absorbing material such as a lead plate except for the imaging table 32, so that the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 may be fogged by environmental radiation other than the imaging radiation. There is no such thing. Further, it is preferable that a raised material or the like is provided in the opening 25a for light shielding.

During radiography of the subject (subject) 34, the subject 34 is placed on the imaging table 32, for example, on the back, and the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is placed.
Is set at the exposure position facing the imaging table 32 (state shown in FIG. 3), and the radiation source 33 is operated in this state. As a result, the radiation 29 transmitted through the subject 34 is applied to the stimulable phosphor sheet 22, and the sheet 22 (more specifically, the stimulable phosphor layer 22B formed on the lower surface side of the sheet 22) is exposed. The radiation image information of the examiner 34 is accumulated and recorded. As is clear from the above description, in the apparatus of the present embodiment, the image recording unit 40 is composed of the imaging table 32 and the radiation source 33. In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The legs are supported. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the subject 34 is placed inside the housing 25 below the imaging table 32.
A grid 95 is provided to absorb scattered radiation from the. The grid 95 may be a so-called Bucky device that is reciprocally moved in the lateral direction.

An image reading unit 50 is provided below the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 in the housing 25. The image reading unit 50 sets, as an example, a laser light source 51 formed of a semiconductor laser, a mirror 53 that reflects the laser light 52 as excitation light emitted from the laser light source 51, and a beam diameter of the laser light 52 to a predetermined value. A beam expander 54, a cylindrical lens 55 that makes a laser beam 52 incident on a mirror surface of an optical deflector 56, which will be described later, so as to form a line image, an optical deflector 56 such as a rotary polygon mirror that reflects and deflects the laser beam 52, and a deflector. A long mirror 57 that reflects the generated laser light 52 and one-dimensionally scans it on the sheet 22 (specifically, on the stimulable phosphor layer 22B), and a pair of mirrors 57 sandwiching the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 respectively. Drive rollers 58A, 58B, 58C, 58D as reading sub-scanning means, which are nip rollers and are rotated at a constant speed, receive light along a scanning line (main scanning line) on the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 by the laser light 52. Arrange so that the surface extends The elongated photomultiplier tube as a photoelectric reading means (photomultiplier) 28, and optically coupled light guide to the light receiving surface of the long photomultiplier 28
Has 28A. Further, an f · θ lens 61 and a cylindrical lens 62 are arranged between the light deflector 56 and the mirror 57, whereby the laser light 52 is constant at any position on the stimulable phosphor sheet 22. It is designed to focus on the beam diameter.

After the radiation image information of the subject 34 is accumulated and recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 as described above, the driving rollers 58A to 58D are used.
When the sheet is rotated, the sheet 22 is moved to the opening 25a side at a constant speed (state shown in FIG. 4). When the radiation image information is recorded, the delivery roller 58E disposed at the end of the casing opposite to the drive rollers 58A to 58D holds the holding portion 22c at one end of the stimulable phosphor sheet 22. . Therefore, if the feeding roller 58E is rotated together with the driving rollers 58A to 58D after image recording, the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 can be immediately conveyed as described above. While the sheet 22 is conveyed, the laser light source 51 and the optical deflector 56 are operated,
Laser light 52 scans the sheet 22. From the location of the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 that has been irradiated with the laser light 52,
The stimulated emission light 63 carrying the radiation image information accumulated and recorded on the sheet 22 is emitted. The stimulated emission light 63 is efficiently detected by the long photomultiplier tube 28 via the light guide 28A. The main scanning of the laser light 52 is performed as described above, and the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is moved and sub-scanned as described above. Therefore, the stimulated emission light is two-dimensionally emitted from the sheet 22. 63 (ie radiation image information) is read. The read image signal output from the long photomultiplier tube 28 is subjected to processing such as amplification, digitization, and image processing in the reading circuit 64, and then an image reproducing unit described later.
Sent to 80.

The long photomultiplier tube 28 described above is described in detail, for example, in JP-A-62-16666.
A brief description will now be given with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. This photomultiplier tube 28 has an electrode structure called a Venetian blind type as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 as an example, and the main body 28A has a cylindrical shape and has a light receiving surface 28a. Photocathodes 28b are provided along the main body 28A so as to face each other, and a plurality of photocathodes 28b (in this example, 13
Dynodes 28c are stacked via the insulating member 28d,
It is fixed by a pin 28e to form a multiplication unit 28f. Each of the dynodes 28c is formed in a blind shape by bending a large number of U-shaped cuts in one conductive plate. A shield electrode 28g is fixed by a pin 28e via an insulating member 28d below the multiplication part 28f in the figure,
An anode 28h is provided in this shield electrode 28g. These electrodes are connected to the respective terminals of the terminal group 28i provided at the side end of the main body 28A in a one-to-one correspondence. The shield electrode 28g does not necessarily have to be provided.

FIG. 8 shows an electric circuit for driving the photomultiplier tube 28 to take out a photoelectric output. Each part of the photomultiplier tube 28 is given the same reference numeral as in FIGS. . The operation of the photomultiplier tube 28 will be described below with reference to FIG. A negative high voltage is applied to the photocathode 28b via the negative high voltage applying terminal 35a. The negative high voltage thus applied to the negative high voltage applying terminal 35a is divided by the bleeder resistor group 35b and applied to the dynode 28c. Also,
The shield electrode 28g is grounded and the anode 28h is a resistor 35c.
Is connected to the bleeder resistor group 35b via the and the amplifier 35d. The photoelectrons emitted from the cathode 28b upon being irradiated with the stimulated emission light 40 hit the dynode 28c when flowing toward the anode 28h, whereby secondary electrons are emitted from the dynode 28c. In this way, photoelectrons are successively multiplied by each dynode 28c, and the current thus obtained is input to the amplifier 35d. In this way, the photoelectrically converted image information is taken out as an analog electric signal (read image signal) S from the output terminal 35e of the amplifier 35d.

The long photomultiplier tube 28 is not limited to the one having the Venetian blind type electrode structure described above, and other electrodes such as a box type, as shown in, for example, JP-A-62-16666. Those having a structure may be used.

In addition, between the light guide 28A and the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube 28, a filter that selectively transmits only the stimulated emission light 63 and cuts the laser light 52 reflected on the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is provided. It is preferable to provide the optical guide 28A with such a filter function.

Here, in this apparatus, when the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is moved by the drive rollers 58A to 58D for sub-scanning, the sheet 22 passes through the opening 25a and the housing 25 as shown in FIG. Project outside. Since the laser beam 52 scans the sheet 22 at a position near the opening 25a, almost all of the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 projects outside the housing 25 at the time when the image reading is completed. Like Therefore, the housing 25 does not need to secure a space for sub-scanning the sheet 22, and may be formed in a size slightly larger than the sheet 22 as described above.

When the image reading is completed as described above, the holding portion 22c of the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is held by the drive roller 58B. When this happens, the drive roller
58A to 58D are rotated in the direction opposite to that in the case of the image reading described above, whereby the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is returned to the exposure position in the housing 25, that is, the position facing the imaging table 32. At this time, the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 passes through the erasing section 70 provided in the housing 25 near the opening 25a, and the sheet 22 undergoes image (afterimage) erasing. The erasing section 70 is composed of, for example, an erasing light source 71 arranged on the upper side of the sheet 22. The erasing light source 71 is composed of, for example, a fluorescent lamp, and mainly emits light in the excitation wavelength region of the stimulable phosphor of the sheet 22, and is turned on when the sheet 22 is returned to the exposure position. After the image is read, the stimulable phosphor sheet 22
The radiation energy remaining in the sheet 22 is emitted from the sheet 22 by irradiating the sheet 22 with the above-mentioned light.

In this manner, the housing 25 accommodates the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 on which the image (afterimage) has been erased to the extent that the radiation image information can be recorded again. Image recording (photographing) and reading can be repeated. As the erasing light source 71, a tungsten lamp, a halogen lamp, an infrared lamp, a xenon flash lamp, etc. as shown in JP-A-56-11392 can be arbitrarily selected and used in addition to the above-mentioned fluorescent lamp. If the support 22A of the sheet 22 is made of a translucent material, the erasing section 70 can be arranged so that the sheet 22 is irradiated with the erasing light from above.

Next, reproduction and recording of the radiation image will be described. The image reproducing section 80 includes a recording sheet supply tray 81 arranged below the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 at the exposure position, and an arm 83 swingably supported in the direction of arrow F about a swing shaft 82. The recording sheet supply roller 84 supported by the tip of the arm 83 and rotated counterclockwise in the figure, and the arm 83 are swung in the direction of the arrow F, and the recording sheets are stacked and stored in the tray 81. Between the drive rollers 58C and 58D, and the arm drive means 86 for pressing the rotating recording sheet supply roller 84 against the heat-developable photosensitive material sheet 85 to discharge the sheets 85 one by one from the tray 81. And a slender heat developing heat source 87 extending over the entire width of the recording sheet 85. Further, the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 returned to the exposure position is supported from below by a sheet support base 88. The support base 88 is made of a material having a high radiation absorbing ability, such as lead, and the radiation 29 and The recording sheet 85 in the tray 81 is prevented from being irradiated with the laser light 52 emitted during image reading. In addition, at the upper end of the recording sheet supply tray 81,
A light blocking member 89 that moves in the direction of arrow G is provided. The light shielding member 89 is normally in close contact with the right end portion of the sheet support base 88 in the drawing, and is adapted to withdraw downward in cooperation with the arm 83 only when the recording sheet 85 is carried out from the tray 81. When reading an image, the laser light 52 causes the recording sheet in the tray 81.
Prevents 85 from being exposed.

The digital image signal D output from the reading circuit 64 is input to the reproduction / recording control unit 90. This control unit 90 is an optical deflector.
56 and the drive rollers 58A to 58D are operated in the same manner as the above-described image reading, and the arm drive means 86 and the sheet supply roller 84 are operated to carry out the recording sheets 85 one by one from the tray 81. This discharged recording sheet 85 is
It is sent between the pair of drive rollers 58A and is conveyed to the drive roller 85D side. At the same time, the control unit 90 outputs the drive control signal Sd based on the input digital image signal D to the laser light source.
Input to the driver 91 of 51. By controlling the driving of the laser light source 51 in this manner, the laser light 52 modulated based on the image signal D scans the recording sheet 85 two-dimensionally. In this way, the image carried by the image signal D, that is, the latent image of the radiation image photographed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is reproduced and recorded on the photothermographic material sheet 85. The recording sheet 85 is heated by the heat source 87 when passing between the drive rollers 58C and 58D. Thereby, the latent image is thermally developed, and the radiation image is reproduced as a visible image on the recording sheet 85. The recording sheet 85 on which the radiation image is recorded in this manner is carried out of the housing 25 through the opening 25a. The heat source 87 is not provided and the erasing light source 71 is not provided.
May also be used as a heat source for heat development. However, in this case, it is necessary to dispose a shutter that transmits heat during development and blocks at least light having a wavelength in the photosensitive region of the photothermographic material so that the erasing light does not strike the recording sheet 85. In addition to controlling the drive of the laser light source 51 to directly modulate the laser light 52 as described above, it also uses an AOM (acousto-optic light modulator).
Of course, it is also possible to perform the modulation through an EOM (electro-optical light modulator) or the like.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the image reading main scanning means, the sub-scanning means and the beam generating means are shared with the image reproducing main scanning means, the sub-scanning means and the beam generating means. Some or all of
The image reading and the image reproducing may be provided independently. However, if they are shared as described above, it is extremely advantageous in downsizing the device and reducing the cost.

Further, as the recording sheet for image reproduction, in addition to the dry silver recording sheet 85 described above, a silver salt photographic film that undergoes a normal wet development process, a so-called instant photographic film that does not require a wet process, and a thermal recording sheet are used. You can also When using a normal silver salt photographic film as described above, the film is exposed by scanning with a laser beam 52 to record a photographic latent image, and then the film is sent to, for example, an automatic developing machine or the like for development. Good. When using an instant photographic film, the developing rollers can be spread by nipping the film with the drive rollers 58A to 58D described above. When a heat-sensitive recording sheet is used, the heat-sensitive recording may be performed by scanning the laser beam 52 as described above, or heat-sensitive recording may be performed using a thermal head.

In the embodiment described above, the stimulable phosphor sheet 22
The image is read from the side opposite to the side exposed to the radiation. For example, in FIG. 3, the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is arranged so that the phosphor layer is located on the upper surface side, and the laser light 52 is emitted. By irradiating the sheet 22 from the upper side, it is possible to read an image from the same side as the radiation exposure side. However, if the image reading is performed as in the embodiment described above, each device of the image reading unit can be arranged on the back side of the exposure unit, which is advantageous in downsizing of the apparatus.

Further, the erasing section 70 is composed of the erasing light source 71 as described above, and, for example, as in the second embodiment shown in FIG.
Planar light source 72 such as EL (electro luminescence) plate
Can be arranged so as to face the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 at the exposure position downward, that is, from the stimulable phosphor layer 22B side. When the configuration as shown in FIG. 5 is adopted, it is possible to obtain an effect that so-called secondary erasing can be easily performed by using the planar light source 72. That is, when the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is stored in the housing 25 without being used for a long period of time after being subjected to image (afterimage) erasing in the erasing section 70, the phosphors are stored in the sheet 22. There are cases where radioactive elements such as ²²⁶ Ra contained as impurities in, and radiation energy due to environmental radiation (which is a component that becomes noise to the accumulated record information) are accumulated, but from the surface erasing light source 72 immediately before image recording. This radiation energy is also released by irradiating the sheet 22 with erasing light. Further, when the erasing section 70 is configured as shown in FIG. 5, when the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is returned into the housing 25 after the image reading is completed, the image (afterimage) is not immediately erased,
The erasure may be performed immediately before the next recording of the radiation image information. In this case, the afterimage erasing and the secondary erasing can be executed at one time. Further, in this case, the radiation energy as the afterimage component remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 can be naturally emitted to some extent by so-called fading, so that there is also an effect that the erasing light amount for erasing the afterimage can be reduced. can get.

Further, the photoelectric reading means used in the present invention is not particularly limited to the above-mentioned long photomultiplier tube 28, and has a relatively small light receiving surface as shown in, for example, JP-A-59-192240. A photodetector and a light guide that are optically coupled may be used. However, the long photomultiplier tube 28 described above is a large-sized device by using the large-sized light guide, and the photodetection efficiency is decreased due to leakage of stimulated emission light from the light guide. Is particularly preferable because it can eliminate the cost increase of the device by forming the light guide having a complicated shape at once. When such a long photomultiplier tube 28 is used, it is used in combination with the above-mentioned condensing reflection mirror 60, or, for example, in combination with an integrating cylinder as shown in JP-A-62-16668, Further, the same as JP-A-62-16669
As shown in No. 6, it is possible to improve the light collection efficiency by combining the integrating cylinder and the reflective optical element.

(Effect of the Invention) As described in detail above, in the radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the stimulable phosphor sheet during image reading is projected from the housing to the outside, so that excitation occurs in this housing. It is not necessary to provide a space for transporting the stimulable phosphor sheet for optical sub-scanning, and reproduction recording of a radiation image is performed while the recording sheet is carried out of the housing. There is no need to take a large space in the housing, and it can be made extremely small. Therefore, the device of the present invention can be easily loaded on ships, submarines, etc. where it is difficult to secure a wide space for loading a device for medical diagnosis, and radiographic imaging and reproduction thereof can be performed in places where radiographic imaging was not possible conventionally. It has an extremely valuable effect in medical diagnosis that enables

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a main part of the apparatus of the above embodiment, FIGS. FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic side views showing states of the apparatus of the above-described embodiment during image recording and image reading respectively, FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. FIG. 8 is a partially broken perspective view and a side sectional view of a long photomultiplier tube used in the apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing an electric circuit of the long photomultiplier tube. 20 …… Main body, 22 …… Storable phosphor sheet 25 …… Case, 25a …… Case opening 28 …… Photomultiplier tube, 29 …… Radiation 30 …… Radiation source storage, 32 …… Shooting Table 33 …… Radiation source, 34 …… Subject 40 …… Image recording section, 50 …… Image reading section 51 …… Laser light source, 52 …… Laser light 53,57, …… Mirror, 55,61,62 ...... Lens 56 …… Optical deflector, 58A-D …… Driving roller 63 …… Stimulated emission light, 64 …… Reading circuit 70 …… Erasing section, 71,72 …… Erasing light source 80 …… Image reproducing section, 84: Recording sheet supply roller 85: Recording sheet, 87: Development heat source D: Read image signal, Sd: Laser drive control signal

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A housing for accommodating a stimulable phosphor sheet capable of accumulating and recording radiation image information, and a housing provided at one end thereof with a stimulable phosphor sheet passage opening for passing the sheet, and a housing in the housing. An image recording unit that accumulates and records the radiation image information on the sheet by irradiating the sheet arranged at the exposure position with radiation having image information, passing the sheet through the exposure position and the opening. A sub-scanning unit for reading, which is moved to a position protruding outside the housing,
And a reading main scanning unit for performing main scanning of the excitation light beam on the sheet at a position near the opening in the housing, and irradiates the sheet after the radiation image information is accumulated and recorded with the excitation light beam. An image reading unit that obtains an image signal by reading the stimulated emission light emitted from the sheet by the excitation light beam irradiation by a photoelectric reading unit; and an image recording on the sheet after the image reading is performed by the image reading unit. Prior to being carried out, the erasing unit for releasing the radiation energy remaining in this sheet and the recording sheet stored in the housing are carried out of the housing through the recording sheet carrying-out opening provided in the housing. While
A radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing apparatus comprising an image reproducing unit for reproducing and recording an image carried by the image signal on the recording sheet. 2. An image reproducing main scanning means for main scanning a recording beam onto the recording sheet, and an image reproducing means for moving the recording sheet in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sub-scanning unit and a modulating unit that modulates the recording beam based on the image signal. 3. A radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reading main scanning means and the image reproducing main scanning means are common. 4. The reading sub-scanning unit and the image reproducing sub-scanning unit are common, and the stimulable phosphor sheet passage opening and the recording sheet unloading opening are common. The radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein 5. The beam generating source for emitting the excitation light beam and the beam generating source for emitting the recording beam are common to each other, according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The described radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing apparatus. 6. A stimulable phosphor sheet having a stimulable phosphor layer formed on a support is used as the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the sheet is arranged in the housing so that radiation is irradiated from the support side. The radiation image according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the image reading unit is formed so as to irradiate the sheet with excitation light from the phosphor layer side. Information recording / reading / reproducing device. 7. The recording sheet is a photothermographic material sheet, and the image reproducing section is provided with a phenomenon section having a heat source for development.
The radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing apparatus according to any one of items. 8. The radiation image information recording / reading / reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the developing section is also used as the erasing section.