JPH11142998A - Radiograph reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiograph reader whose operability is good. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a cassette stacker part 3 which is exposed outside a device and in which plural cassettes 9 having hard plate (medium) with a stored radiograph inside are set, an image reading part 5 provided inside the device and reading the radiograph of the plate, and a plate (medium) carrying part provided inside the device, taking the plate out of the cassette 9 set on the part 3, carrying the plate to the part 5 and returning the medium whose reading is finished back to the part 3. A plate carrying part 4 moves to a target cassette 9 among the plural cassettes 9 set on the part 3, is engaged with the long side of the plate inside the cassette 9, moves in the short side direction of the plate, and takes the plate out of the cassette 9.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a radiation image reading apparatus for reading a radiation image stored in a medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional radiation image reading apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 20 is a configuration perspective view of a conventional radiation image reading apparatus.

[0003] In the figure, a cassette 1002 having a rigid medium in which a radiographic image is stored is provided above the apparatus.
Is provided with a cassette stacker unit 1001 in which a plurality of sheets are set.

An image reading section for reading a radiation image of a medium and a cassette stacker section 100 are provided inside the lower portion of the apparatus.
And a medium transport unit that takes out the medium from the cassette located at the second extraction position A, transports the medium to the image reading unit, and returns the medium that has been read to the cassette 1002 located at the extraction position A.

The cassette stacker 1001 is set so that the cassette 1002 containing the medium to be read is located at the extraction position A.
002 is slid in the direction of arrow B in the figure.

[0006]

However, in the radiation image reading apparatus having the above configuration, if the cassette stacker 1001 slidably driven in the direction of arrow B is exposed outside the apparatus, the cassette stacker 1001 slides. In such a case, a part of the human body may be drawn into a gap between the cassettes 1002 set.

Therefore, a cover or the like for covering the cassette stacker unit 1001 must be provided. However, by providing such a cover, when the cassette 1002 is set on the cassette stacker unit 1001 or when the cassette 1002 is taken out from the cassette stacker unit 1001, the cover needs to be opened and closed, resulting in poor operability.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a radiation image reading apparatus having good operability. A second object is to provide a radiation image reading apparatus capable of stably transporting a medium.

A third object is to provide a radiation image reading apparatus having a short reading cycle time. A fourth object is to provide a radiation image reading apparatus that can reduce the size of the apparatus.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cassette stacker in which a plurality of cassettes each having a rigid medium in which a radiation image is stored and which is exposed outside the apparatus are set. Part, provided inside the device,
An image reading unit that reads a radiation image of the medium, provided inside the apparatus, removes a medium from a cassette set in the cassette stacker unit, and transports the medium to the image reading unit.
A medium transport unit for returning the read medium to the cassette stacker unit, wherein the medium transport unit is a target cassette among a plurality of cassettes set in the cassette stacker unit. The radiation image reading apparatus is characterized in that the radiation image reading apparatus moves to the long side of the medium in the cassette, moves in the short side direction of the medium, and removes the medium from the cassette.

[0011] Since the medium transport section provided inside the apparatus moves to the target cassette of the cassette stacker section and takes out the medium in the cassette, the movable portion is not exposed outside the apparatus. Therefore, a cover or the like that covers the movable portion is not required, and operability is improved.

Further, when the medium is taken out from the cassette, the medium is taken out in the short side direction of the medium, so that the time taken out can be shortened. Further, the medium conveyance section can stably convey the medium by engaging with the long side of the medium.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the radiation image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the cassette is set on the cassette stacker section with its long side substantially horizontal. is there.

The height of the cassette stacker can be reduced by setting the cassette in the cassette stacker so that the long side is substantially horizontal, that is, the short side is substantially vertical.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image reading section according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image reading section includes a main scanning section for performing a main scanning in a short side direction of the medium, and A radiation image reading apparatus, comprising: a sub-scanning mechanism and a driving unit for driving the radiation image reading apparatus.

Since the main scanning unit scans in the short side direction of the medium, the size of the scanning optical system can be reduced, and the size and cost of the apparatus can be reduced. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radiation image reading apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein a ball screw is used for the sub-scanning section mechanism / drive section.

By using a ball screw having a small resistance, speed unevenness in the sub-scanning direction is reduced, and a good image can be obtained. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radiation image reading apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein a linear motor is used for the sub-scanning section mechanism / drive section.

By using a linear motor, a mechanism for converting a rotary motion into a linear motion is not required, and the cost can be reduced.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a radiation image recording / reading apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. Schematic Configuration of Radiation Image Recording / Reading Apparatus The schematic configuration of the radiation image recording / reading apparatus of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a radiation image recording and reading apparatus.

The apparatus main body 2 of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus 1 includes a cassette stacker section 3 exposed to the outside of the apparatus, a plate transport section 4 provided inside the apparatus, an image reading section 5, a system control section 6, Display / operation unit 7 and power supply unit 8
And are provided.

A cassette 9 accommodating radiation image conversion plates as a plurality of types of media can be set in the cassette stacker unit 3, and the cassette 9 accommodating the radiation image conversion plate is loaded into the cassette stacker unit 3. . When a predetermined operation is performed from the display / operation unit 7, the radiation image conversion plate 12 as a medium is pulled out of the cassette 9 by the plate transport unit 4.

Extracted radiation image conversion plate 12
Is transported by the plate transport unit 4 toward the image reading unit. In the image reading section 5, the radiation image conversion plate 1
2 is fixed, and reading by laser scanning is started. Radiation image conversion plate 1 that has been read by image reading unit 5
2 is stored in the original cassette 9 following the same route. The erasing operation of the image on the radiation image conversion plate 12 is performed by the erasing unit 13 when the image is stored in the cassette 9. That is, the radiation image conversion plate 12 is stored in the cassette 9 of the cassette stacker unit 3 while erasing the image.

Next, an outline of control of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus. The cassette stacker unit 3 provided in the apparatus main body 2 of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus 1 is provided with a cassette stacker unit mechanism / drive unit 30 and a cassette stacker unit control unit 31, and a cassette containing a plurality of types of radiation image conversion plates. 9 can be set. When the cassette stacker unit mechanism / drive unit 30 is driven based on the control of the cassette stacker unit control unit 31 and the cassette 9 containing the radiation image conversion plate is loaded,
Set to a predetermined state.

The plate transport section 4 is provided with a plate transport section mechanism / drive section 40 and a plate transport section control section 41. Based on a command from the cassette stacker section control section 31, the plate transport section control section 41 controls the plate transport section. The section mechanism / drive section 40 is controlled. Plate transport section mechanism / drive section 40
Moves to the target cassette 9, draws the radiation image conversion plate 12 from the cassette 9, and conveys the drawn radiation image conversion plate 12 toward the image reading unit.

The image reading section 5 includes a sub-scanning section mechanism / drive section 50 and a main scanning section 51. The main scanning section 51 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the sub-scanning section mechanism / drive section 50, and the main scanning section is driven. The image reading by the laser scanning of the unit 51 is performed.

The system control section 6 includes a main CPU 60 and a reading section control image input control section 61. The main CPU 60 is connected to a system disk 62 for storing system programs, image disks 63 and 64 for storing image information, and to a host computer 66, a diagnostic device 67 and a patient registration terminal 68 via a board 65. You. In the main CPU 60, overall control,
It performs image processing, output control, and image management. The reading section control image input control section 61 includes a cassette stacker section control section 31,
The sub-scanning mechanism / drive unit 50 and the main scanning unit 51 are controlled to read the image of the radiation image conversion plate 12, and the image information is sent to the main CPU 60.

The display / operation unit 7 includes a CRT 70 as a display unit for displaying an image read by the image reading unit 5, a CRT 70,
A touch panel 71 as an operation unit provided on the display screen 70 is provided. Command information from the touch panel 71 is sent to the main CPU 60, and the main CPU 60 performs control based on input commands.

Next, the external shape of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus, showing a state where a cassette is not set.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus with the cassette set, FIG. 5 is a left side view in FIG. 4, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a right side view of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus in FIG.

Cassette stacker unit 3 and display / operation unit 7
Are arranged side by side in a substantially horizontal direction above the radiation image recording and reading apparatus. That is, the cassette stacker unit 3 is disposed on the upper right side of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus 1, and the display / operation unit 7 is disposed on the upper left side of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus.

The cassette stacker section 3 has a loading section 300 provided for every five slots. The display / operation unit 7 includes a CRT 70 and a touch panel 71 as an operation unit provided on a display surface of the CRT 70.
Operations such as appointment of examinations, patient registration, etc., status display / setting of each unit of the apparatus, and display of the read image are performed.

As the CRT 70, for example, a 15-inch CRT (24-bit color, monochrome 256 gradations, resolution 1024 × 768) is used, and an operation input is performed by a touch panel 71 on the CRT 70.

The input section 300 includes an input guide section 301 and a storage section 302. Injection guide section 301
Is formed so as to extend toward the storage portion 302 in a groove shape, and to guide the cassette 9 to the storage portion 302 in a vertical state. The cassette 9 is stored and held in the storage section 302 with a predetermined gap.

The cassette 9 is vertically loaded with the longitudinal direction of the cassette being horizontal and the front side of the apparatus as a reference.
At the same time as the cassette 9 is inserted, the light-blocking shutter 303 provided at the opening of the storage section 302 is closed for each slot to prevent light leakage from the opening.

The cassette 9 can be removed from each slot, and an LED lamp 304 indicating that reading is in progress is provided so that the cassette 9 is not accidentally removed. 2. Cassette The cassette 9 used will be described in detail.

The cassette accommodating the radiation image conversion plate is configured as shown in FIGS. 7 to 14. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where the radiation image conversion plate is accommodated in the cassette. FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state where the conversion plate is pulled out, FIG. 9 is a plan view of the cassette, FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state where the radiation image conversion plate is stored in the cassette, FIG. 11 is a side view of the cassette, and FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG.
FIG.

The cassette 9 includes case halves 900 and 901.
And the periphery is tightened with screws 902 to be integrated. An opening 903 is formed on one long side of the cassette 9, and the radiation image conversion plate 12 can be pulled out from the opening 903.

The radiation image conversion plate 12 has a stimulable phosphor layer, and the stimulable phosphor layer accumulates energy in accordance with the radiation transmittance distribution of the object with respect to the amount of irradiation radiation from the radiation source. To form a latent image. The radiation image conversion plate 12 is provided with a stimulable phosphor layer by vapor deposition or coating. The stimulable phosphor layer is shielded or covered with a protective member in order to prevent adverse effects and damage due to the environment. As the material of the radiation image converting plate, for ^{example, M I X · aM II X} '2 · bM III X "3: cA
Alkali hydride phosphor represented by (where M ^I represents at least one alkali metal of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs, M ^{I I} is Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cd , Cu, Ni
Represents at least one divalent metal, M ^III is Sc, Y, La,
Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Al, Ga, In
X, X ′, X ″ represents at least one kind of trivalent metal of
F, Cl, Br, represents at least one halogen of I, X, X ',
X ″ is Eu, Tb, Ce, Tm, Dy, Pr, Ho, Nd, Yb, Er, Gd, Lu, Sm, Y, T
l, Na, Ag, Cu, represents at least one metal of Mg, a, b, c
Represents a number satisfying 0 ≦ a <0.5, 0 ≦ b <0.5, and 0 <c ≦ 0.2. In addition, for example, (Ba _1-xy Mg _x Ca _y ) FX: eEu ²⁺ (where X is at least one of Br and Cl, x, y
And e are numbers satisfying the condition 0 <x + y <0.6, xy ≠ 0, 10 ⁻⁶ ≦ e ≦ 5 × 10 ⁻² , respectively. ) Represented by, for example, BaFX: xCe, yA (where X is at least one of ClBr and I, A
Is at least one of ln, Tl, Gd, Sm and Zn, and x and y are respectively 0 <x ≦ 2 × 10 ⁻¹ and 0 <y <5 × 10 ⁻² . Fluorescence represented by the phosphor BaBr: Eu ²⁺ represented by) is used.

The radiation image conversion plate 12 is a cassette 9
A pair of locking pins 905 fixed to an inner rigid tray 904 and corresponding to portions other than the area where an image is recorded.
Is provided on the tray 904, and the pair of locking pins 905
Penetrates the tray 904 of the radiation image conversion plate 12. A guide plate 9 is attached to the pair of locking pins 905.
The guide plate 906 is provided with a cap 907 that covers an opening 903 provided on the long side of the cassette 9.

A lock mechanism 908 is built in the cap 907, and the lock of the lock mechanism 908 can be released from the lock hole 909. Also, the cap 907 has
A pair of levers 910 are provided.
0, the cap 907 is opened and closed, and the radiation image conversion plate 12 together with the tray 904 is pulled out from the cassette 9 or stored.

Table 1 shows an example of the type and size of the cassette 9.

[0042]

[Table 1]

An identification label 911 is affixed to the cassette 9, and identification information in white and black is recorded on the identification label 911. By detecting the identification information of the identification label 911, the type and size of the cassette 9 are determined. And an erroneous insertion into the cassette stacker unit 3 is detected.

Further, the identification direction of the cassette 9 and the front and back sides are determined by the identification seal 911. In addition, the vertical direction of the cassette 9 is indicated by the vertical direction mark 912, but the vertical direction may be specified by inserting the cassette 9 into the cassette stacker unit 3 with the cap 907 on the lower side. .

The cassette 9 includes a case half 900.
A medical record clip 913 is provided at the center, and a concave portion 900a is formed in the case half 900 around the medical record clip 913. The medical record and the like are held by the concave portion 900a and the medical record clip 913.

3. Plate Transport Unit FIG. 15 is a front view showing the configuration of the plate transport unit, FIG. 16 is a side view of the cassette clinch in FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is a plan view of the cassette clinch.

The plate transport section 4 is the apparatus main body 2 of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus 1 and is disposed below the cassette stacker section 3, and is provided between the sub-scanning section 50 and the cassette position of the cassette stacker section 3. The conversion plate 12 is transported.

The rate transport section mechanism / drive section 40 provided in the plate transport section 4 is configured as shown in FIG. 4, and FIGS. That is, the plate transport mechanism / drive unit 40 is supported by the guide rails 401 and 402 on which the support frame 400 is vertically arranged. The guide rails 401 and 402 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the cassette 9 stored in the cassette stacker unit 3. The lower end of the support frame 400 is fixed to a transport belt 403 disposed below, and the transport belt 403 is driven by a transport motor 404, whereby the support frame 400 moves along the guide rails 401 and 402.

The erasing section 1 is provided above the support frame 400.
3 is attached. As the erasing light source of the erasing unit 13, for example, two 300 W halogen lamps (driving voltage 90 V) are used, and the moving speed of the radiation image conversion plate 12 during erasing is 10.5 mm / sec.
Can be changed according to the image recording. The halogen lamp is an erasing light source, and turns on and irradiates the radiation image conversion plate 12 with erasing light to erase an afterimage. The elimination of the afterimage is to irradiate the radiation image exchange plate 12 with erasing light, thereby releasing the residual radiation energy in the radiation image conversion plate 12 after scanning and reading by the laser beam.

The support frame 400 is provided with a guide shaft 410 in the vertical direction, and a cassette clinch 411 is attached to the guide shaft 410 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The cassette linch 411 is attached to a transport belt 405 arranged vertically, and the transport belt 405 is driven by a transport motor 406 arranged below the support frame 400, whereby the cassette linch 411 moves along the guide shaft 410. Move up and down. The support frame 400 is provided with a holding roller 407 for preventing the radiation image conversion plate 12 from falling down, and holds an end of the radiation image conversion plate 12 outside the image recording area.

As shown in FIG. 16, a pair of arms 413 are provided on the cassette lynch 411 in a support 412 so as to be rotatable about a support pin 414 as a fulcrum. The claw portion 413a provided at the tip of the pair of arms 413 is provided with a pair of levers 9 provided on the cap 907 of the cassette 9.
The pair of arms 413 are urged by springs 417 such that the base 413b is always in contact with the pin 415a of the cam 415.

The cam 415 is rotated by a drive motor 416. The pin 415a pushes the base 413b by the rotation of the cam 415, and the pair of arms 413 is opened and closed. A rotary disk 421 is provided on the rotary shaft 420 of the drive motor 416, and the notch 421 a formed in the rotary disk 421 crosses the photocoupler 422 at a time when the drive motor 41
The operation of the pair of arms 413 is controlled by detecting the rotation angle of the arm 6.

The support 4 of the cassette lynch 411
12 is provided with a pair of unlocking rods 430 for unlocking the lock mechanism 908 of the cap 907. The pair of unlocking rods 430 is
12, is slidably supported by a plate 431, and a solenoid 432 is connected to one of the unlocking rods 430. The unlocking rod 430 is connected to the other unlocking rod 430 by a connecting lever 433 and operates in conjunction therewith. .

The pair of unlocking rods 430 is always urged to the initial position by the spring 434, and the support 41 is moved at the position where the cassette clinch 411 moves upward.
2 is applied to the cap 907 of the cassette 9 and the solenoid 432 is actuated.
Projecting into the lock hole 909 of the cap 907 to release the lock of the lock mechanism 908.

When the lock mechanism 908 is unlocked, the pair of arms 413 is closed, and the claw 413a is
07 is engaged with a pair of levers 910, and in this state, the cassette image clinch 411 is moved downward to pull out the radiation image conversion plate 12 from the cassette 9, and the radiographic image conversion plate 12 pulled out by the cassette image clinch 411 is held. The support frame 400 is moved and transported to the sub-scanning mechanism / drive unit 50.

When the image reading of the radiation image conversion plate 12 is completed, the support frame 400 is moved in the opposite direction to return to a predetermined position, the cassette clinch 411 is moved upward, and the radiation image conversion plate 12 is returned to the original cassette 9. Let it be stored. At this time, a pair of unlocking rods 43
When the radiographic image conversion plate 12 is stored in the cassette 9 and the cap 907 is closed, the lock mechanism 908 automatically locks the cap 907.

4. Image Reading Unit FIG. 18 is a side view of the sub-scanning unit, and FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an optical system of the image reading unit. (1) Sub-scanning Unit Mechanism / Drive Unit The image reading unit 5 is built in the apparatus main body 2 of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus 1 and is arranged below the display / operation unit 7. The sub-scanning mechanism / drive unit 50 provided in the image reading unit 5 transports the main scanning unit 51 in the long-side direction of the radiation image conversion plate 12, which is the sub-scanning direction.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 18 and 19, the sub-scanning mechanism / drive unit 50 has a guide shaft 500 facing the radiation image conversion plate 12 and a ball screw 501 arranged in parallel. Have been. The guide shaft 500 is located above, the ball screw 501 is located below, and the main scanning unit 51 is movably engaged with the guide shaft 500 and screwed into the ball screw 501, so that the main scanning unit 51 is It is held vertically.

The ball screw 501 is provided with a direct drive motor 502.
By driving 02, the ball screw 501 rotates, and moves the main scanning unit 51 in the sub-scanning direction.

(2) Main Scanning As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the main scanning unit 51 includes a laser beam generating unit 510, a polygon mirror 511, an fθ lens constituting a condenser 512, a reflecting mirror 513, and a light receiving unit. 5
14 and the like are integrally formed. Laser beam generator 5
10 is a gas laser as a light source. It has a solid-state laser, a semiconductor laser, and the like. The laser beam generator 510 generates a laser beam whose emission intensity is controlled as excitation light.

The laser beam reaches the polygon mirror 511 via the optical system, is deflected there, is condensed by the fθ lens constituting the condensing body 512, and is reflected by the reflection mirror 51.
The light path is deflected at 3 and is guided to the radiation image exchange plate 12 as scanning light for stimulating excitation. An image is read by receiving the stimulated emission emitted by the radiation image conversion plate 12 scanned by the laser beam by the light receiving unit 514. The light receiving unit 514 is configured by using a long photomultiplier 514a and a flat plate light collector 514b.

The light enters the long photomultiplier 514a and is photoelectrically converted into an electric signal corresponding to the incident light. That is, the stimulated emission enters the long photomultiplier 514a via the flat light collector 514b and is photoelectrically converted, so that an output current corresponding to a radiation image is obtained. The output current from the long photomultiplier 514a is converted into a voltage signal by a current / voltage exchanger (not shown), amplified by an amplifier (not shown), and then converted into a digital image signal by an A / D converter. The digital image signals are sequentially output to an image processing circuit, where they are subjected to various types of image processing such as gradation processing, and then stored as they are on an image disk or visualized by a CRT 70.

The reading section control image input control section 61 receives various synchronization signals from the polygon mirror 511 and an origin position detection signal from a photo sensor (not shown) for detecting the sub-scanning start position. The main scanning unit 51 is moved at a predetermined speed in the sub-scanning direction from the start position while synchronizing with the main scanning by the polygon mirror 511.

In this embodiment, the incidence angle at which the radiation image conversion plate 12 is irradiated is approximately perpendicular to the plate surface of the radiation image conversion plate 12 by 5 °.

5. Reading Cycle Time (Feed / Load Time) and Processing Capacity The feed / load time of the radiation image recording / reading apparatus 1 is determined from the time when the cassette 9 is loaded into the cassette stacker unit 3 and the reading is started until it can be removed. (1
75 μm reading). In the sleep mode, about 10 seconds are added. If the maximum arrival dose on the radiation image conversion plate 12 exceeds 20 mR, a maximum of 18 seconds is added.

The processing capacity of the radiation image recording / reading apparatus 1 is defined by the number of processed sheets per hour when the cassettes 9 are continuously loaded in order from the top of the loading section 300, and is as follows. I have.

[0067]

[Table 2]

6. Image Reading Image reading by the image reading section 5 of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus 1 will be described in detail.

(1) Matrix size and read area Table 3 shows the read area and matrix size in each cassette.

[0070]

[Table 3]

(2) Photographic Sensitivity As the photographic sensitivity of the image reading section 5, the following three photographic sensitivities can be set for each part.

That is, the photographing sensitivity is low sensitivity (corresponding to s = 50-200), standard (corresponding to s = 200-1000), and high sensitivity (corresponding to s = 1000-5000), and the definition of the s value is 2.58. × 10 ^-7 PMT when 1535 digital values are output for CKg (1mR) X-ray irradiation
The sensitivity is s = 200, and is a value that relatively expresses the photomultitube (PMT) sensitivity based on the sensitivity.

(3) Grid Moire Removal When a grid is arranged in the direction specified by the cassette upper and lower marks, moire can be removed. For example, 34, 40, 60, 80 lines / cm are used as the grid to be used. .

(4) Unevenness Correction The correction contents in the image reading unit 5 include unevenness in the main scanning direction (S), unevenness in the vertical direction (F), and unevenness in the polygon (P), and these corrections are performed.

As the correction data, the parameters for each correction content are held in two types of 87.5 / 175 μm. 7. System Control Unit The system control unit 6 includes a main CPU 60 and a reading unit control image input control unit 61, and is configured as follows.

(1) System control unit The system control unit performs moire removal and various corrections. It is also used for image transfer with an image control board (ICU). X
GA-24bit color image display is possible.

As a hard disk, a system disk 62 storing a system program and image disks 63 and 64 storing image information are connected. Image data output can be switched between host computer output priority and hard copy priority by user setting.

(2) Image processing The following processing is performed by software of the system control unit. As the gradation processing, an algorithm for each part is set based on the photographing menu. Automatically, LUT rotation / shift is performed by ROI setting and histogram analysis. As manual operation, gradation processing using a fixed LUT is performed.

The frequency processing performs frequency emphasis. Also,
Equalization compresses the dynamic range of the image signal. Two shooting modes (vertical and horizontal), 4
It supports split shooting. As an algorithm, processing conditions are determined for one predetermined division and applied to the entire image. Images are handled as one image.

The irradiation field check automatically checks an arbitrary polygonal irradiation field. However, front chest, side chest, abdomen simple,
The pelvis front and the like are limited to rectangles parallel to the edges of the image. The image direction determination automatically determines whether the head-to-tail direction of the human body corresponds to the vertical or horizontal direction of the image. However, only the front of the chest, the front of the child's chest, the simple abdomen, and the front of the pelvis are applicable, but are not limited thereto.

(3) Storage of Image Data The hard disks of the image disks 63 and 64 can be stored. (4) Patient Registration As a patient input method, a Japanese syllabary table displayed on the CRT 70 can be used, and usable character types are, for example, katakana and alphanumeric characters. In addition, it is also possible to automatically input an ID number. Furthermore, kanji can be input from the patient registration terminal.

The unit of patient registration is performed in examination units. For example, up to 24 images can be taken per inspection. The number of reserved inspections can be, for example, up to 100 inspections. According to the radiation image recording and reading apparatus having the above configuration, the plate transport unit 4 provided inside the apparatus moves to the target cassette 9 of the cassette stacker unit 3 and takes out the radiation image conversion plate 12 in the cassette. Moving parts are not exposed to the outside of the device. Therefore, a cover or the like that covers the movable portion is not required, and operability is improved.

Further, when taking out the radiation image conversion plate 12 from the cassette 9, the radiation image conversion plate 12 is taken out in the short side direction of the radiation image conversion plate 12, so that the take-out time can be shortened.

Further, the cassette clinch 411 of the plate transport unit 4 is engaged with a cap 907 provided on the long side of the radiation image conversion plate 12. That is, the radiation image conversion plate 12 can be transported more stably by holding it horizontally than in the case of holding it vertically.

Further, the cassette 9 has a long side substantially horizontal,
That is, the cassette stacker unit 3 is arranged such that the short side is substantially vertical.
, The height of the cassette stacker 3 can be reduced.

Further, since the main scanning section 51 scans in the short side direction of the radiation image conversion plate 12, the size of the scanning optical system can be reduced, and the size and cost of the apparatus can be reduced. In addition, since the ball screw 501 having low resistance is used for the sub-scanning section mechanism / drive section 50, speed unevenness in the sub-scanning direction is reduced, and a good image can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the ball screw 501 is used for the sub-scanning section mechanism / drive section 50, but a linear motor may be used.

In this case, by using a linear motor,
A mechanism for converting the rotary motion into the linear motion is not required, and the cost can be reduced.

[0089]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the medium transport section provided inside the apparatus moves to the target cassette of the cassette stacker section and takes out the medium in the cassette. Therefore, the movable part is not exposed outside the device. Therefore, a cover or the like that covers the movable part is unnecessary,
Operability is improved.

Further, when the medium is taken out from the cassette, the medium is taken out in the short side direction of the medium, so that the time taken out can be shortened. Further, the medium conveyance section can stably convey the medium by engaging with the long side of the medium.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the height of the cassette stacker is reduced by setting the cassette in the cassette stacker so that the long side is substantially horizontal, that is, the short side is substantially vertical. can do.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the main scanning section scans in the short side direction of the medium, the scanning optical system can be reduced, and the apparatus can be reduced in size and cost. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the use of the ball screw having a small resistance in the sub-scanning mechanism and the driving section reduces unevenness in the speed in the sub-scanning direction, so that a good image can be obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the use of the linear motor for the sub-scanning mechanism / drive unit eliminates the need for a mechanism for converting rotary motion into linear motion, thereby achieving cost reduction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a radiation image recording and reading apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus, showing a state where a cassette is not set.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus with a cassette set;

FIG. 5 is a left side view in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where a radiation image conversion plate is stored in a cassette.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where a radiation image conversion plate is pulled out from a cassette.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the cassette.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state where a radiation image conversion plate is stored in a cassette.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the cassette.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along section line CC of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along section line DD in FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along section line EE in FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is a front view illustrating a configuration of a plate transport unit.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the cassette clinch in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the cassette lynch.

FIG. 18 is a side view of a sub-scanning unit.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an optical system of an image reading unit.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a conventional radiation image recording and reading apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Cassette stacker section 4 Plate transport section (medium transport section) 5 Image reading section 9 Cassette 12 Radiation image conversion plate (medium)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A cassette stacker section in which a plurality of cassettes each having a rigid medium in which a radiation image is accumulated and which is exposed to the outside of the apparatus are set, and an image which is provided inside the apparatus and reads a radiation image of the medium is provided. A reading unit, a medium transport unit provided inside the apparatus, for taking out a medium from a cassette set in the cassette stacker unit, transporting the medium to the image reading unit, and returning the read medium to the cassette stacker unit; The radiation image reading device, wherein the medium transport unit moves to a target cassette among a plurality of cassettes set in a cassette stacker unit, and engages with a long side of the medium in the cassette. A radiation image reading apparatus which moves in a short side direction of the medium and takes out the medium from the cassette. 2. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cassette is set on the cassette stacker with its long side substantially horizontal. 3. The image reading unit includes: a main scanning unit that performs main scanning in a short side direction of the medium; and a sub-scanning unit mechanism and a driving unit that drives the main scanning unit in a long side direction of the medium. 2. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a ball screw is used for the sub-scanning mechanism / drive unit. 5. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a linear motor is used for the sub-scanning section mechanism / drive section.