JPH10246926A - Radiograph information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the manufacturing cost of an information reader, while precisely obtaining image information by removing exciting light from light from stimulable phosphor, in a radiograph information reader. SOLUTION: This reader making the light source for the exciting light for exciting a stimulable phosphor sheet 10 a line light source 21, is provided with an optical fibers bundle 22, and a CCD 25, opposedly to the surface on the side opposite to the light source 21 of the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 emitting the light along the line light source 21, and moreover provided with a thin layer interference type filter 23 capable of preventing the exciting light from passing through, while allowing the light from the stimulable phosphor to pass through, on the entering end face of the optical fibers bundle 22.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a radiation image information reading apparatus, and more particularly to an improvement of an apparatus for reading radiation image information recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When radiation is irradiated, a part of this radiation energy is accumulated, and thereafter, when irradiated with excitation light such as visible light or laser light, a stimulable phosphor that emits stimulated light in accordance with the accumulated radiation energy. (Photostimulable phosphor) is used to temporarily accumulate and record radiation image information of a subject such as a human body on a sheet-shaped stimulable phosphor sheet formed by laminating a stimulable phosphor on a support. Excitation light such as laser light is scanned for each pixel to generate stimulable luminescence light from each pixel, and the obtained stimulus luminescence light is photoelectrically sequentially read to obtain an image signal. A radiation image recording / reproducing system which emits erasing light to a stimulable phosphor sheet to emit radiation energy remaining on the sheet is already well known and put to practical use.

An image signal obtained by this system is subjected to image processing such as gradation processing and frequency processing suitable for observation and interpretation, and the image signal after this processing is applied to a film as a diagnostic visible image. Or displayed on a high-definition CRT and used for diagnosis by a doctor or the like. On the other hand, the stimulable phosphor sheet from which the residual radiation energy irradiated with the erasing light has been released can again store and record radiation image information, and can be used repeatedly.

[0004]

However, in the radiation image information reading apparatus used in the radiation image recording / reproducing system described above, high-quality laser light is used as excitation light and photoelectrically stimulated emission light is detected. An expensive photomultiplier (photomultiplier tube) is used, and a laser light scanning system and a condensing optical system for detecting photostimulated light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet as a signal for each pixel. It must be provided, and the whole device is quite expensive. And this high price is one of the obstacles to widespread use of this system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an inexpensive radiation image information reading apparatus in which manufacturing costs are reduced by using inexpensive parts.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radiation image information reading apparatus in which a light source of excitation light for exciting a stimulable phosphor sheet is a line light source and emitted from a portion irradiated with the excitation light. The linear stimulating light is detected by dividing the front and / or back surface of the sheet into pixels by a pixel-division photoelectric reading unit.
By providing a thin-film interference filter between the sheet and the pixel-divided photoelectric reading means, which does not allow excitation light to pass therethrough and allows photostimulated light to pass therethrough, after removing excitation light mixed with the photostimulated light The pixel is divided and detected by the pixel-division photoelectric reading means.

That is, a first radiation image information reading apparatus according to the present invention comprises a line light source for linearly irradiating excitation light to a part of a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation image information is stored and recorded;
In the sheet, stimulated emission light corresponding to the radiation image information emitted from a portion of the sheet irradiated with the excitation light and / or a portion of the back surface corresponding to the portion is irradiated with a pixel in a length direction of the irradiated portion. Dividing the plurality of pixels obtained by the pixel division into a two-dimensional array photoelectrically, and the line light source and the pixel-divided photoelectric reading unit and the sheet are relatively positioned in the length direction. Scanning means for moving the sheet in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning direction, and disposed between the portion of the sheet where the stimulated emission light is emitted and the pixel-divided photoelectric reading means, for preventing passage of the excitation light. It is characterized by having a thin-film interference filter that allows the stimulating light to pass therethrough.

Here, the above-mentioned pixel division means that the substantially linear stimulating light is divided into minute sizes corresponding to the pixels, and is not intended to divide the pixels.

The surface of the sheet on which the pixel-divided photoelectric reading means detects the stimulated emission light may be either the front surface or the back surface of the sheet, or may be detected substantially simultaneously from both surfaces. In order for the photoelectric reading means to eliminate crosstalk light due to stimulated emission light emitted from an adjacent pixel as much as possible, it is necessary to bring the sheet as close to the sheet as possible without interfering with the light source. It is preferable to detect from the back surface of the sheet (the surface opposite to the surface on the irradiation side of the excitation light) that allows the photoelectric conversion unit and the pixel-divided photoelectric reading unit to be closer to each other. The surface on which the photostimulated emission light is read by the pixel-division photoelectric reading means is preferably the surface on which radiation is incident when a radiation image is captured on a sheet. This is because the transmitted radiation carrying the radiation transmission image information of the subject is scattered inside the sheet, and the signal is blurred when read from the side from which the radiation is emitted.

To read photoelectrically in a two-dimensional array means to read it photoelectrically in a two-dimensional array. Therefore, the photostimulated light emitted linearly, which is arranged in the length direction, that is, one-dimensionally divided into pixels, is defined as 2
They are arranged in a dimensional manner and read photoelectrically.

Also, the excitation light has a wavelength band of 633 nm or more.
690nm wavelength, 350nm ~
It is appropriate to use a 450 nm one.

It is desirable that the thin-film interference filter be in close contact with the pixel-separated photoelectric reading means from the viewpoint of preventing a reduction in the light-collecting efficiency of stimulated emission light.

The pixel-division photoelectric reading means includes:
A photoelectric conversion unit in which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements are two-dimensionally arranged, and each of the incident end faces faces the portion of the sheet where the stimulated emission light is emitted (the front surface and / or the back surface of the sheet) and the line. An optical fiber bundle composed of a large number of optical fibers arranged arbitrarily so as to be arranged in the length direction of the irradiation part, and each emission end face is arbitrarily arranged so as to face the photoelectric conversion element different from each other, A reference table in which the correspondence between the optical fiber and each of the photoelectric conversion elements is set in advance, and each electric signal detected by each of the photoelectric conversion elements, based on the correspondence set in the reference table, at the incident end face. A configuration constituted by reconfiguration means for reconfiguring an arrangement according to the arrangement of the optical fibers can be applied. When such a mode is adopted, the thin-film interference filter is disposed between the incident end face of the optical fiber bundle and the stimulable phosphor sheet, and is more preferably brought into close contact with the incident end face of the optical fiber bundle. Good. As in the above-described case, the light-collecting efficiency of the stimulated emission light is prevented from lowering.

According to a second radiographic image information reading apparatus of the present invention, the first radiographic image information reading apparatus is characterized in that the photoelectric conversion means, the optical fiber bundle, the reference table, and the reconfiguration are used as pixel-division photoelectric reading means. Means, the thin-film interference filter is disposed between the incident end face of the optical fiber bundle and the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the thin-film interference filter is emitted from the optical fiber bundle. It is characterized in that it is arranged between the end face and the photoelectric conversion means.

That is, a second radiation image information reading apparatus according to the present invention comprises a line light source for linearly irradiating excitation light to a part of a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation image information is stored and recorded;
Photoelectric conversion means in which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements are two-dimensionally arranged, each of the incident end faces being a portion of the sheet where the excitation light is irradiated to emit stimulated emission light according to the radiation image information; and / or Or arranged on the back surface corresponding to the portion irradiated with the excitation light, facing the portion where the stimulated emission light according to the radiation image information is emitted, and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the linear irradiation portion. An optical fiber bundle composed of a large number of optical fibers arranged so that each output end face is opposed to the photoelectric conversion element different from each other, and a correspondence relationship between each optical fiber and each photoelectric conversion element at the input end face is set in advance. The reference table and each electrical signal detected by each of the photoelectric conversion elements are converted into the optical fiber at the incident end face based on the correspondence set in the reference table. Scanning means for moving the line light source, the optical fiber bundle and the sheet relatively in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length direction, and the optical fiber. And a thin-film interference filter disposed between the light-emitting end face of the bundle and the photoelectric conversion means, for blocking passage of the excitation light and allowing passage of the stimulated emission light. .

In the second radiographic image information reading apparatus, it is preferable that the thin film interference type filter be brought into close contact with the exit end face of the optical fiber bundle. As in the above-described case, the light-collecting efficiency of the stimulated emission light is prevented from lowering.

The third radiation image information reading apparatus of the present invention uses a thin-film interference type filter as in the first or second radiation image information reading apparatus of the present invention, and emits stimulated emission light and excitation light. Instead of separating the optical fiber bundles in the above inventions, the optical fiber bundle is made of a material (for example, Co ²⁺ , Cu ²⁺⁾ that blocks the passage of excitation light and allows the passage of stimulated emission light.
, Etc.).

That is, a third radiation image information reading apparatus according to the present invention is a line light source for linearly irradiating excitation light to a part of a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation image information is stored and recorded;
Photoelectric conversion means in which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements are two-dimensionally arranged, each of the incident end faces being a portion of the sheet where the excitation light is irradiated to emit stimulated emission light according to the radiation image information; and / or Or arranged on the back surface corresponding to the portion irradiated with the excitation light, facing the portion where the stimulated emission light according to the radiation image information is emitted, and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the linear irradiation portion. An optical fiber bundle composed of a large number of optical fibers arranged so that each output end face is opposed to the photoelectric conversion element different from each other, and a correspondence relationship between each optical fiber and each photoelectric conversion element at the input end face is set in advance. The reference table and each electrical signal detected by each of the photoelectric conversion elements are converted into the optical fiber at the incident end face based on the correspondence set in the reference table. And a scanning unit for relatively moving the line light source and the optical fiber bundle and the sheet in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length direction. Each of the optical fibers constituting the fiber bundle is formed by containing a material that blocks passage of the excitation light and allows passage of the stimulated emission light.

[0019]

According to the first radiographic image information reading apparatus of the present invention, the stimulable phosphor sheet is illuminated by the line light source, so that the stimulated emission light is emitted linearly along the line light source. Is done. The linear stimulated emission light is emitted not only from the front surface of the sheet (the surface on the same side as the light source) but also from the back surface (the surface on the side opposite to the light source). Then, the emitted linear stimulating light is spatially divided from the front surface and / or the back surface by a pixel-division photoelectric reading means in a direction along the straight line and photoelectrically detected, whereby the line light source is detected. Image information in the direction in which the line light source extends can be detected in correspondence with the pixels. By relatively moving, image information of the entire sheet can be obtained as a result.

As described above, the first radiographic image information reading apparatus of the present invention realizes an inexpensive and compact configuration that does not use a scanning optical system such as a rotary polygon mirror or an fθ lens, which is required in a conventional system. Since the pixel-division photoelectric reading unit is used, an inexpensive linear light source can be used as the excitation light source. In other words, in the past, pixel-by-pixel reading was performed by time-division reading according to the timing of scanning with laser light. However, in the present invention, it is not necessary to use an expensive device such as a laser light source, and the light source itself can be manufactured at low cost. You can also.

Further, by providing a thin film interference type filter between the pixel division photoelectric reading means and the sheet, it is possible to prevent the excitation light from being mixed with the stimulated emission light and photoelectrically detected. By applying a thin-film interference filter as a means for separating the excitation light, the pixel-divided photoelectric reading means and the sheet can be brought into substantially close contact, and the distance between the pixel-divided photoelectric reading means and the sheet increases. It is possible to prevent a decrease in light-collecting efficiency due to diffusion of stimulated emission light from the sheet, which is caused by the light emission.

Here, the pixel-divided photoelectric reading means is divided into a photoelectric conversion means in which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged two-dimensionally, and each incident end face is opposed to a portion of the sheet where stimulated emission light is emitted. An optical fiber bundle composed of a large number of optical fibers arranged so as to be aligned in the length direction of the linear irradiation portion, and each output end face is opposed to a photoelectric conversion element different from each other, and each optical fiber at the input end face. The reference table in which the correspondence with the photoelectric conversion element is set in advance, and based on the correspondence set in the reference table, each electric signal detected by each photoelectric conversion element is arranged in an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of the optical fibers at the incident end face. In the case where a reconfiguration means is provided, the incident end face of each optical fiber, that is, the end face facing the sheet, is provided with the extending direction of the line light source. Are arranged in a line in a line, but on the other hand, the exit end face does not necessarily have to be arranged in the same order as the entrance end face, and it is not even necessary to be arranged in a line in a linear manner, and is arranged in any shape. You may.

Therefore, it is not necessary to use expensive line-shaped photoelectric conversion means due to the difficulty in manufacturing.

Therefore, it is appropriate to use a general-purpose product in which photoelectric conversion elements are two-dimensionally arranged as photoelectric conversion means. C in which such photoelectric conversion elements are two-dimensionally arranged
Photoelectric conversion means such as a CD (charge-coupled device) are generally inexpensive because of easy manufacture, and are easily available. Then, as described above, the linear stimulating light emitted from the sheet can be easily guided to the two-dimensional surface of the photoelectric conversion means by using the optical fiber bundle.

In this case, it is not necessary to know in advance the positional relationship of the individual optical fibers in the entire fiber bundle between the input end face and the output end face by using the optical fiber bundle alone. It can be very inexpensive as compared with a fiber bundle used for an endoscope.

That is, in the set state in which the optical fiber bundle and the photoelectric conversion means are combined, the correspondence between the position of each fiber on the incident end face of the optical fiber bundle and each photoelectric conversion element constituting the photoelectric conversion means is determined. Is set in advance as a reference table, and by referring to this reference table after acquiring the image data, this data is digitally rearranged in accordance with the arrangement order on the incident end face of the optical fiber, whereby the data is arranged in the original linear shape. The data according to the order of the optical fibers can be obtained.

Here, the correspondence between the position of each fiber on the incident end face of the optical fiber bundle and each photoelectric conversion element constituting the photoelectric conversion means is such that light of a minute spot (about the diameter of the optical fiber) such as laser light is emitted. In this case, scanning may be performed along the incident end face of the optical fiber bundle in which a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in a line, and the value may be obtained based on a time-series photoelectric detection result by each photoelectric conversion element constituting the photoelectric conversion means at this time.

The image recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet is generally represented by image data of about 2,000 pixels in the horizontal (main scanning direction) × 2000 pixels in the vertical (sub-scanning direction). Here, in the conventional radiation image information reading apparatus, a line light source is arranged along the main scanning direction, and 2,000 optical fibers corresponding to 2,000 pixels are arranged along this direction such that the incident ends thereof are arranged in one line. In this case, 2,000 optical fibers are bundled so that the emission end face expands in two dimensions, such as a substantially rectangular shape or a substantially circular shape, and this is photoelectrically detected by a general-purpose CCD of 250,000 to 400,000 pixels. Then, one fiber (one pixel of the stimulable phosphor sheet) corresponds to the CC
Since the number of pixels of D is 125 to 200 pixels, and there is a margin for the number of pixels on the CCD side, the resolution of the obtained image can be improved by increasing the number of optical fibers.

According to a second radiographic image information reading apparatus of the present invention, the first radiographic image information reading apparatus is characterized in that the photoelectric conversion means, the optical fiber bundle, the reference table, and the reconfiguration are used as pixel-division photoelectric reading means. Therefore, it realizes an inexpensive and compact configuration that does not use a scanning optical system such as a rotating polygon mirror or fθ lens, which was required in the conventional system. There is no need to use an expensive device such as a laser light source, and the light source itself can be made inexpensive.

Further, the thin-film interference type filter is disposed between the output end face of the optical fiber bundle and the photoelectric conversion means, so that it is possible to prevent the excitation light from being mixed with the stimulated emission light and being photoelectrically detected. it can. By applying a thin-film interference filter as a means for separating the excitation light, the output end face of the optical fiber bundle and the photoelectric conversion means can be brought into close contact with each other, and the distance between the output end face of the optical fiber bundle and the photoelectric conversion means is reduced. Arising from growing,
It is possible to prevent a reduction in light-collecting efficiency due to diffusion of stimulated emission light from the emission end of the optical fiber bundle.

A third radiation image information reading apparatus according to the present invention comprises a photoelectric conversion means, an optical fiber bundle, a look-up table, and a reconstructing means, similarly to the second radiation image information reading apparatus. Therefore, an inexpensive and compact configuration that does not use a scanning optical system such as a rotating polygon mirror or fθ lens, which was required in the conventional system, is realized, and an expensive light source such as a laser light source is provided by bringing the light source close to the sheet. There is no need to use it, and the light source itself can be made inexpensive.

Further, each of the optical fibers constituting the optical fiber bundle is made of a material (for example, a blue-colored ionic substance such as Co ²⁺ or Cu ²⁺ ) which blocks the passage of excitation light and allows the passage of stimulated emission light. Due to the inclusion, the excitation light can be prevented from being mixed with the stimulated emission light and photoelectrically detected.

Since the optical fiber bundle itself has the function of separating the excitation light, it is not necessary to add a separate means for separating the excitation light on the optical path.
The sheet and the incident end face of the optical fiber and the exit end face of the optical fiber bundle can be brought into close contact with the photoelectric conversion means, respectively, and it is possible to prevent a reduction in light-collecting efficiency due to diffusion of stimulated emission light from between them. .

[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the radiation image information reading apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the first radiation image information reading apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an example of a radiation image information reading and recording apparatus using the radiation image information reading apparatus shown in FIG. FIG.

The radiation image information reading apparatus 20 shown in FIG.
Generates stimulable emission light corresponding to the radiation image information stored and recorded in the IP10, which extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction X of the stimulable phosphor sheet (hereinafter referred to as IP) 10 by the transport belts 28a and 28b. A line light source 21 for irradiating the excitation light to the IP 10, a CCD 25 in which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements (approximately 400,000 pixels = 632 vertical pixels × 632 horizontal pixels) are two-dimensionally arranged, and each incident end face 22a is a line. Each of the light emitting end faces 22b is arranged so as to be substantially in close contact with a part on the back side of the IP 10 corresponding to a part of the IP 10 irradiated with the excitation light from the light source 21 and to be arranged in a line along the extending direction of the line light source 21. An optical fiber bundle composed of a number of optical fibers 22i bundled so as to spread in a three-dimensional plane and closely attached to the light receiving surface of the CCD 25
22, a thin-film interference filter 23 directly formed on each incident end face 22a of each optical fiber 22i, a reference table 26 in which the correspondence between each optical fiber 22i and each photoelectric conversion element on the incident end face 22a is set in advance, Each signal S detected by each photoelectric conversion element is converted into the incident end face 22a of the optical fiber bundle 22 based on the correspondence set in the lookup table 26.
And a reconstructing means 27 for reconfiguring the arrangement according to the arrangement of the optical fibers 22i.

Here, the line light source 21 has a structure in which a fluorescent lamp 21a is provided inside a cylindrical reflecting mirror 21b having a slit 21c along a direction parallel to the central axis on a part of the peripheral surface thereof. The light that has passed through the slit 21c is converted into linear light to irradiate IP10. Note that, in order to improve the degree of condensing light emitted from the slit 21c,
A cylindrical lens having no power in the direction in which c extends may be provided along the slit 21c.

The thin-film interference filter 23 prevents the transmission of the excitation light L emitted from the line light source 21 and allows the transmission of the stimulated emission light emitted from the IP 10 excited by the excitation light L. It is a filter having such spectral characteristics as follows. This filter 23 is an optical fiber bundle
It is formed directly on the incident end face 22a of each optical fiber 22i constituting the 22. The optical fiber bundle 22 is disposed such that the incident end face 22a thereof is in close contact with the back surface of the IP 10 via the thin-film interference filter 23.

The optical fiber bundle 22 is composed of, for example, 2000 optical fibers 22i, and each optical fiber 22i has a diameter.
As described above, the incident end faces of the 2000 optical fibers 22i are arranged in a line in parallel with the extending direction of the line light source 21 (see FIG. 3).
(Refer to (1)), but the exit end face is (1) or (2) in FIG.
This is a configuration that is randomly bundled as shown in FIG.

The CCD 25 is an emission end face 22b of the fiber bundle 22.
Are arranged substantially in close contact with each other, and each optical fiber 22i is substantially evenly disposed on the photoelectric conversion surface on which the 400,000 pixels of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged.
Are arranged so that light from Note that CC
D25 has an aperture ratio of 50% and a QE of 60%, but these values are merely a preferable example of efficiently collecting photostimulated light. It is not limited to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the line light source 21 and the optical fiber 22 are arranged on different sides with the IP 10 interposed therebetween. The incident end face 22a of the optical fiber 22 is almost adhered to the IP10 in order to minimize the diffusion of stimulated emission light as much as possible and make it efficiently enter the optical fiber, and to prevent crosstalk of the stimulated emission light from adjacent pixel portions. It is necessary to make it. Therefore, if it is possible to make the incident end face 22a of the optical fiber 22 substantially adhere to the IP10, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the optical fiber 22 is arranged on the same side as the light source 21 and the incident end face 22a is brought into close contact with the surface of the IP10. it can. Further, these may be separately arranged on each side of the IP 10 to perform double-side reading.

The outgoing ends of the 2000 optical fibers 22i and
The 400,000 pixels of the CCD 25 correspond to those shown in FIG.

Radiation image information reading and recording apparatus shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 100 denotes a radiation image information reading / recording apparatus which partially includes the radiation image information reading apparatus 20 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 as an image reading unit.
An image reading unit 20 that reads an image signal corresponding to the radiation image information from P10, and an image processing that performs signal processing such as gradation processing and frequency processing on the image signal S obtained by reading by the image reading unit 20 And an image output unit 60 for outputting a visible image P 'represented by the image signal S' to the dry film 61 based on the image signal S 'after the signal processing.
And a CRT monitor 70 for displaying a visible image P 'on the display surface.
And the I contained in the cassette 11 attached to the main body.
The power supply 80 includes a transport unit 40 that transports the IP 10 to the image reading unit 20 and the IP tray 30, including a suction unit 41 that attracts P 10 and draws the P 10 from the cassette 11 into the main body 90.

Here, the power supply 80 and the image processing unit 50 are arranged at the lowermost stage, the image reading unit 20 is arranged above the power supply 80, and the image output unit 60 is arranged above the same. When the apparatus is operated while standing, the dry film 61 on which the visible image is recorded is discharged to a height position where the operator can easily see it.

The dry printer 60 performs thermal recording on a so-called cut sheet thermal material as a dry film 61, and adsorbs a large number of dry films 61 housed in a removable magazine 62 one by one. Printer
A transporting means 64 including a sheet-feeding means 63 to be carried into the inside 60; and a thermal head device for performing thermal recording on the transported film 61
In more detail, the thermal head device 65 is a thermal head body which is a substrate on which a glaze is formed, which is a portion for recording a heat-sensitive surface image on a heat-sensitive material. Is omitted), a heat sink as cooling means directly fixed to the thermal head main body, a cooling fan constituting a cooling means together with the heat sink, a planar heater for heating the thermal head main body, and driving of the cooling fan and the planar heater. It comprises control means for controlling.

Next, the operation of the radiation image information reading and recording apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

When the IP tray 30 is mounted on the tray mounting opening 92 of the main body, and the cassette 11 containing the IP 10 in which the radiation image information of the patient is stored is mounted on the cassette mounting opening 91, the lid of the cassette 11 is opened. As shown in FIG. 2B, the suction unit 41 is opened, and the suction unit 41 suctions the IP10 housed in the cassette 11 with the lid open and draws the IP10 into the main body 90.
The extracted IP10 is transferred to the image reading unit by the transport means 40.
It is carried into 20.

The image reading section 20 places the IP10 on the two transport belts 28a and 28b and transports the IP10 in the direction of the arrow X. During this time, the surface of the IP 10 (the upper surface in the figure) is irradiated with excitation light linearly from the line light source 21. The linear portion of the IP10 that has been irradiated with the excitation light emits stimulated emission light that emits at a light amount corresponding to the radiation image information stored and recorded in the portion.

The stimulated emission light is generated not only on the front surface side of IP10 but also on the back surface side. In addition, IP10
From each surface, not only the stimulated emission light but also a part of the excitation light irradiated on the surface of IP10 is emitted. That is, the excitation light reflected on the surface is emitted from the front surface of IP10, and the excitation light transmitted through IP10 is emitted from the back surface.

The light emitted from the back surface of the IP 10 enters each of the optical fibers 22i, which are in close contact with each of the minute portions generated, via the thin-film interference filter 23.

Here, of the light emitted from the back surface of the IP 10, the component of the excitation light is blocked from being transmitted by the filter 23, while the component of the stimulated emission light is filtered.
23 allows transmission. Therefore, only the photostimulated light component enters each optical fiber 22i.

The linear stimulating light emitted from the line light source 21 when irradiated with the linear excitation light is converted into an optical fiber 22.
It is divided as a small optical signal corresponding to 2000 pixels which is the number of i.

The stimulated emission light of each pixel guided to the emission end face 22b by repeating total reflection inside each optical fiber 22i is emitted from each emission end face 22b.
The light is guided on the light detection surface of the CCD 25 provided in close contact with the CCD. At this time, the light detection surface of the CCD 25 (photoelectric conversion element surface)
In the above description, when the exit end faces of the optical fiber bundle 22 are bundled as shown in FIG. 3A, for example, each optical fiber 22i corresponds as shown in FIG.

Incidentally, since the optical fiber bundle 22 is randomly bundled on the exit end face side, it is not known where one fiber designated on the exit end face side is located on the incident end face side. Therefore, it is necessary to associate the incident end face side and the output end face side of the optical fiber bundle 22 in advance. Therefore, in the apparatus of the present embodiment, the light is incident on the incident end face 22a of each fiber 22i while the optical fiber 22i is sequentially replaced, and it is determined from which output end face each light is emitted based on the detection signal of the CCD 25. Often, the result of this correspondence is tabulated as a reference table 26. Then, when the image is read later, the reconstruction signal 27 corresponds to the arrangement order of the fibers 22i at the incident end of the optical fiber bundle 22 while referring to the table 26 by the reconstructing means 27 when the image is read. And rearrange them.

As a result, an image signal S 'corresponding to the spatial position of the sheet 10 can be obtained, and the obtained image signal S' is input to the image processing section 50.

The image processing section 50 performs various kinds of signal processing on the input image signal S '. The image signal S ″ after the signal processing is output to the image output unit 60 and the CRT monitor.
Output to 70.

On the other hand, the IP 10 after the image signal is read by the image reading section 20 is conveyed by the conveying means 40 and stored in the IP tray 30. The image reading unit 20 and the IP tray 30
In order to make the radiation energy remaining in the IP10 after reading the image signal almost completely be emitted during the transport route between
A configuration in which an erasing section that emits erasing light is provided may be employed.

Since the IP tray 30 can store a plurality of IP10s, the IP tray 30 is kept mounted on the apparatus 100 until a predetermined number of IP10s are stored after image reading is completed. After being removed from the device 100 and the stored IP10 is discharged, the device 100
Attached to.

The CRT monitor 70 displays, on its display surface, a visible image corresponding to the image signal S ″ after the signal processing input from the image processing section 50, and the operator observes this display, and The necessity of correcting the degree of processing or changing the range designation is determined.

In the image output section 60, the sheet feeding means 63 sucks a large number of dry films 61 housed in the magazine 62 one by one and carries them into the printer 60. The thermal head device 65 conveys the dry film 61 to the transported dry film 61 based on the image signal S ″ input from the image processing unit 50, according to the image signal S ″. Thermally record the image. More specifically, in the thermal recording, the control unit controls the driving of the cooling fan and the planar heater to adjust the temperature of the thermal head main body, whereby a gradation image is recorded.

The dry film 61 on which the visible image is recorded is output from the film discharge port 93 to the outside of the apparatus 100. Note that the position of the film discharge port 93 is a height position at which the dry film 61 on which the visible image is recorded is easily visible to the operator when the operator operates the apparatus while standing. For example, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to take the film.

As described above, according to the radiation image information reading / recording apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the image signal is transmitted to each pixel without using expensive components such as the conventional laser light source, laser scanning system, and photomultiplier. Since it is possible to reduce the cost, the manufacturing cost can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional device, and thereby the price of the device can be reduced and the device can be spread.

Further, in order not to photoelectrically detect the excitation light,
Cut with filter 23 and this filter 23
Is provided on the incident end face of the fiber bundle 23 as a thin-film interference type filter, and is disposed in close contact with the IP10, so that the stimulated emission light can be prevented from diffusing from the IP10, and the S / N ratio can be further improved. Image signal can be obtained.

The radiation image information reading device shown in FIG.
The thin-film interference filter 23 is connected to the input end face of the optical fiber 22i.
This is an embodiment of the device having the structure formed in the optical fiber 22a, and the thin film interference filter 23 is connected to the optical fiber 22a as shown in FIG.
Instead of being formed on the incident end face 22a of i, it may be configured to be formed on the output end face 22b. The embodiment configured as described above is an embodiment of the second radiation image information reading apparatus of the present invention.

The means for preventing the excitation light from being photoelectrically detected is not limited to the one in which the thin film interference type filter 23 is formed on one end surface of the optical fiber bundle 22 as described in each of the above embodiments. Instead, as shown in FIG. 6, the optical fiber itself may cut the excitation light. That is, the optical fiber bundle 22 'shown in FIG.
Is formed by containing a material (for example, a blue-colored ionic substance such as Co ²⁺ and Cu ²⁺ ) that blocks the passage of excitation light and allows the passage of stimulated emission light. In this embodiment, since the optical fiber bundle 22 itself has a function of separating the excitation light, it is not necessary to add another means (such as a thin-film interference filter) for the purpose of separating the excitation light on the optical path. As a result, the incident end face of the sheet and the optical fiber and the emission end face of the optical fiber bundle can be completely brought into close contact with the photoelectric conversion means, respectively, and a reduction in light-collecting efficiency due to diffusion of stimulated emission light therebetween can be prevented. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a first radiation image information reading apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a radiation image information reading and recording apparatus having a configuration in which the radiation image information reading apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is partially provided as an image reading unit;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an arrangement state of an optical fiber bundle at an incident end face and an output end face.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between an emission end face of an optical fiber bundle and a photoelectric conversion element of a CCD 25;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a second radiation image information reading apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a third radiation image information reading apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Storage phosphor sheet 20 Image reading unit 21 Line light source 22, 22 'Optical fiber bundle 22a, 22'a Incident end face 22b, 22'b Outgoing end face 22i Optical fiber 23 Thin film interference type filter (excitation light cut filter) 25 CCD 26 See Table 27 Reconstruction means 28a, 28b Conveyor belt 100 Radiation image information reading and recording device 200 Image transmission device

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Nobuyoshi Nakajima 798, Miyadai, Kaisei-cho, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A line light source for linearly irradiating a part of a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation image information is stored and recorded with excitation light, a part of the sheet irradiated with the excitation light and / or the irradiation. The stimulated emission light corresponding to the radiation image information emitted from the back surface portion of the irradiated portion is divided into pixels in the length direction of the irradiated portion, and a plurality of pixels obtained by the pixel division are two-dimensionally divided. A pixel-divided photoelectric reading unit that photoelectrically reads in an array, a scanning unit that relatively moves the line light source, the pixel-divided photoelectric reading unit, and the sheet in a direction substantially orthogonal to the length direction, and the sheet And a thin-film interference filter disposed between the portion where the stimulated emission light is emitted and the pixel-separated photoelectric reading means for blocking the excitation light and allowing the stimulated emission light to pass. thing A radiation image information reading apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The photoelectric conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the photoelectric conversion unit includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged two-dimensionally, and each incident end face faces a portion of the sheet where the photostimulated light is emitted. An optical fiber bundle composed of a large number of optical fibers arranged so as to be arranged in the length direction of the linear irradiation portion, and each emission end face being opposed to the photoelectric conversion element different from each other; A reference table in which the correspondence between each optical fiber and each of the photoelectric conversion elements is set in advance, and each electric signal detected by each of the photoelectric conversion elements, based on the correspondence set in the reference table, and Reconstructing means for reconfiguring an arrangement according to an arrangement of the optical fibers on an end face, wherein the thin-film interference filter is an optical fiber Radiation image information reading apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged between the entrance end face of the bundle and the sheet. 3. A line light source that linearly irradiates a part of a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation image information is stored and recorded with excitation light, a photoelectric conversion unit in which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements are two-dimensionally arranged, The radiation on the back surface of the sheet corresponding to the portion of the sheet where the excitation light is irradiated and the stimulated emission light is emitted according to the radiation image information and / or the portion where the excitation light is irradiated Opposed to the portion where the stimulated emission light according to the image information is emitted, arranged so as to be arranged in the length direction of the linear irradiation portion, and each emission end face faces the photoelectric conversion element different from each other. An optical fiber bundle composed of a large number of optical fibers arranged in a matrix; a reference table in which a correspondence relationship between each optical fiber and each of the photoelectric conversion elements on the incident end face is set in advance; Reconstructing means for reconfiguring each detected electrical signal into an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of the optical fibers on the incident end face, based on the correspondence set in the reference table, the line light source and the optical fiber bundle and the Scanning means for moving the sheet relatively in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length direction, and disposed between the emission end face of the optical fiber bundle and the photoelectric conversion means, the passage of the excitation light. A radiation image information reading apparatus comprising a thin-film interference type filter for blocking and allowing the stimulating light to pass therethrough. 4. A line light source that linearly irradiates a part of a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation image information is stored and recorded with excitation light, a photoelectric conversion unit in which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements are two-dimensionally arranged, The radiation on the back surface of the sheet corresponding to the portion of the sheet where the excitation light is irradiated and the stimulated emission light is emitted according to the radiation image information and / or the portion where the excitation light is irradiated Opposed to the portion where the stimulated emission light according to the image information is emitted, arranged so as to be arranged in the length direction of the linear irradiation portion, and each emission end face faces the photoelectric conversion element different from each other. An optical fiber bundle composed of a large number of optical fibers arranged in a reference table in which a correspondence relationship between each optical fiber and each of the photoelectric conversion elements on the incident end face is set in advance; Each of the detected electrical signals, based on the correspondence set in the reference table, a reconstructing unit that reconfigures the arrangement according to the arrangement of the optical fibers on the incident end face, and the line light source and the optical fiber bundle. Scanning means for moving the sheet relatively in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length direction, wherein each of the optical fibers constituting the fiber bundle is prevented from passing the excitation light and the stimulating light is emitted. A radiation image information reading apparatus formed by containing a material that allows light to pass therethrough.