JPH11271897A - Cassette for radiation image recorder/reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cassette for a radiation image recorder/reader which makes it possible to provide information on an examined person from the cassette itself. SOLUTION: This cassette 9 is used for a radiation image recorder/reader which reads image information out of a recording plate where a radiation image is recorded by taking a radiation photograph of an examined person, and which is equipped with a cassette loading part, contains the recording plate that is loaded in a cassette loading part. This cassette is equipped with a display means 930 for displaying the information regarding the photography of the examined person. Further, a holding means 913 is provided which holds a recording sheet where the information regarding the photography of the examined person is stored.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radiation image conversion plate used in a radiation image recording reading apparatus which reads a radiation image stored in a radiation image conversion plate, converts the radiation image into a digital signal, and displays or stores the image. Related to cassettes for storage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a cassette accommodating a radiation image conversion plate is loaded into a radiographing apparatus for X-ray radiography for the purpose of medical examination, and then the cassette is taken out from the radiographing apparatus and then loaded to be converted into a radiographic image. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a radiation image recording reading apparatus which converts a radiation image recorded on a plate into a digital signal and reads the digital signal.

[0003] However, the conventional cassette is managed by a simple temporary identification number or the like, and it is not possible to know a patient who has been imaged from the cassette itself and its imaging region.
For this reason, when performing the reading process in the radiation image recording / reading apparatus, when it is desired to know such imaging information, it cannot be obtained immediately, which may be inconvenient. In addition, the imaging device and the radiation image recording and reading device are usually installed at different places in a hospital or the like, and since the cassette that has been imaged is moved, a patient, an imaging region, or an image captured from the cassette itself is used. In some cases, it is necessary to know the point of care.
Further, even when the installation location is the same, similar information may be required when reading a radiographic image after a lapse of time after the end of X-ray imaging.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a cassette for a radiographic image recording and reading apparatus which can obtain information on imaging of a subject from the cassette itself used in the radiographic image recording and reading apparatus. .

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a cassette for a radiographic image recording and reading apparatus according to the present invention reads image information from a recording plate on which a radiographic image is recorded by radiography of a subject and loads the cassette. A cassette used in a radiation image recording and reading apparatus having a unit, which stores the recording plate and is loaded in the cassette loading unit, is provided with display means for displaying information on imaging of a subject.

[0006] According to the present invention, since information relating to imaging of a subject can be known by the display means provided on the cassette, such information can be obtained directly from the cassette itself. Therefore, the information of the subject can be obtained immediately, which is extremely convenient for use.

Further, the display means may include an area in which the information can be repeatedly written.

The display means may include an identification switch for indicating the information. Such an identification switch can be composed of a plurality of DIP switches, for example.

[0009] The display means may include an identification mark indicating the information. Such an identification mark can be composed of, for example, a one-dimensional identification code, a two-dimensional identification code, a color-specific marker, or the like.

The display means may include a display element which is electrically driven so as to display the information. Examples of such a display element include an LED and an LCD.
There is.

The radiation image recording and reading apparatus further includes an operation section for controlling the apparatus near the cassette loading section. When the cassette is loaded in the cassette loading section, the display means switches the operation section. It can be configured to be provided on a surface that faces.

Further, another cassette for a radiation image recording and reading apparatus according to the present invention reads image information from a recording plate on which a radiation image is recorded by radiography of a subject and is used in a radiation image recording and reading apparatus having a cassette loading section. The cassette that houses the recording plate and is loaded into the cassette loading section is provided with a holding unit that holds a recording medium that records information related to imaging of a subject. According to the present invention, it is possible to know information on imaging of a subject from the recording medium held by the holding means, and thus it is possible to obtain such information from the cassette itself. Further, when the recording medium becomes unnecessary, it can be removed from the holding means.

The information may be subject identification information, imaging region direction information, or diagnostic treatment destination information.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a radiation image recording / reading apparatus main body which can be used by loading a cassette according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cassette of the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the radiation image conversion plate housed in the cassette is pulled out. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the state in which the radiation image conversion plate is housed in the cassette in FIG. 2, omitting an upper case half. 5 is a plan view of the cassette shown in FIG. 2, and FIG.
And FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the radiation image recording / reading apparatus. 1 includes a cassette stacker unit 3, a plate transport unit 4, an image reading unit 5, a system control unit 6, an operation unit 7, and a power supply unit 8 in an apparatus main body 2.

First, the radiation image recording and reading apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
Each part will be described. The cassette stacker unit 3
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of types of cassettes 9 each containing a radiation image conversion plate 12 can be loaded. The radiation image conversion plate 12 has, for example, a stimulable phosphor layer, and the stimulable phosphor layer can be formed on the radiation image conversion plate 12 by, for example, a vapor deposition method or a coating method. When irradiating the radiation image conversion plate 12 with radiation from a radiation source via a subject (an imaging part such as a patient) in another radiation imaging apparatus,
The stimulable phosphor layer accumulates energy in accordance with the radiation transmittance distribution of the subject with respect to the amount of irradiation radiation from the radiation source, and forms a latent image as image information. Note that the stimulable phosphor layer is shielded or covered by a protective member in order to block adverse effects and damage due to the environment.

The plate transport section 4 is located below the cassette stacker section 3 and transports the radiation image conversion plate 12 between the cassette position in the cassette stacker section 3 and the image reading section 5. That is, after the radiation conversion plate 12 in the cassette 9 is pulled out, the radiation image conversion plate 12 is transported downward in the vertical direction V in FIG. Transport to The radiation image conversion plate 12 from which the image reading by the image reading section 5 has been completed is conveyed in the H ′ direction and the V ′ direction, follows the reverse path, and is stored in the original cassette 9.

The image reading section 5 is located below the scanning section 7 and includes a sub-scanning section and a main scanning section. The sub-scanning section conveys the main scanning section in the sub-scanning direction. The main scanning unit performs laser scanning on the radiation image conversion plate 12 while being conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, thereby reading image information recorded on the radiation image conversion plate 12.

The system control section 6 includes a main CPU for controlling the entire apparatus, image processing, output control, image management and storage section control, the cassette stacker section 3, the plate transport section 4, the image reading section 5 and the like. A reading control unit and an image input control unit for controlling the reading control unit; The image information read by the image reading unit 5 is sent to the main CPU. The operation unit 7 includes a CRT 70 and a touch panel 71 provided on the surface of the CRT 70 as shown in FIG. 3. Command information input from the touch panel 71 is sent to the main CPU of the system control unit 6. Each control is performed based on.

As shown in FIG. 1, an erasing section 13 having an erasing light source for erasing image recording on the radiation image conversion plate 12 is disposed above the plate transport section 4. As this erasing light source, for example, two 300 W halogen lamps can be used, and erasing light from this light source can be applied to the radiation conversion plate 12 to erase an afterimage. The elimination of the afterimage means that the radiation image conversion plate 12 is irradiated with erasing light to emit radiation energy remaining on the radiation image conversion plate 12 after the image reading unit 5 reads an image by laser beam scanning. That is. This erasing operation is performed when the radiation image conversion plate 12 is transported by the plate transport unit 4 in the vertical direction V ′ and returned to the original 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 on the radiation image plate 12. As a result, the recorded image is deleted, and the cassette can be used for the next new photographing.

Next, the configuration and operation of the cassette will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer frame of the cassette 9 is formed in a rectangular shape by joining the case halves 900 and 901 together and tightening them around with a plurality of screws 902. An opening 903 is formed on one end surface of the cassette 9, and the radiation image conversion plate 12 can be pulled out from the opening 903.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the radiation image conversion plate 12 is provided with a rigid tray 90 in the cassette 9.
4 is fixed. As shown in FIG. 4, the tray 904 is provided with a pair of locking pins 905 corresponding to the area of the radiation image conversion plate 12 where no image is recorded. The locking pin 905 penetrates the radiation image conversion plate. A guide plate 906 is arranged to guide the pair of locking pins 905, and the locking pins 905 are slidable in guide holes 906a formed in an elongated shape. Opening 9 of this guide plate 906
A cap 907 formed to cover and close the opening 903 is attached to the 03 side.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the cap 907 has a built-in lock mechanism 908 for keeping the cap 907 closed. It is configured so that the locked state can be released. A pair of levers 910 is provided on the end face side of the cap portion 907. In a state where the lock mechanism 908 is released, a claw portion (not shown) of an arm provided outside is engaged with a pair of levers 910, and then the arm (not shown) moves in the arrow direction a of FIG. Then, the guide plate 906 is formed together with the cap portion 907.
Moves in the arrow direction b in FIG. Then, after the end of the guide hole 906a of the guide plate 906 comes into contact with the pair of locking pins 905 as shown by the broken line in FIG.
When the arm further moves, the tray 4 and the radiation image conversion plate 12 are pulled out together with the locking pins 905 as shown in FIG. Further, the radiation image conversion plate 12 can be stored in the cassette again together with the tray 4 by the operation reverse to the above.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a seal 911 in which predetermined information is formed by a white portion and a black portion is attached to the surface of the case half 900 of the cassette 9.
The type and size of the cassette 9 are recorded on the sticker 911.
An erroneous insertion of the cassette 9 into the cassette stacker unit 3 can be detected.

An arrow mark 912 is formed on the cassette 9 as shown in FIGS.
The cassette 9 is inserted into the cassette stacker unit 3 in the direction of the arrow. This allows the user of the apparatus to know the loading direction of the cassette 9, for example, by setting the outer surface of the cap portion 907 of the cassette 9 to a different color and inserting the cassette 9 with the cap portion 907 on the lower side. ,
It is possible not to make a mistake in the input direction.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a recess 90 is provided on the surface of the half case 900 of the cassette 9 as a means for holding a recording medium on which information relating to the photographing of the subject is recorded.
0a is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and a locking clip 913 formed in a thin disk shape is provided in the concave portion 900a. The locking clip 913 is provided with a gap such that the recording sheet S, which is an example of a recording medium, can be sandwiched between the back surface 913b and the surface of the concave portion 900a.
It is fixed by. Surface 91 of locking clip 913
3a is almost flush with the surface of the case half 900. Further, in order to facilitate insertion of the recording sheet S, a surface 913c is formed without a corner of the locking clip 913 on the side where the recording sheet S is inserted.

A recording sheet S such as a medical record sheet or an instruction from a doctor is placed on the back surface 913b and the concave portion 900 in the arrow direction c in FIG.
By inserting the recording sheet S into the gap between the recording sheet S and the surface of the recording sheet S, the recording sheet S can be held therebetween. Then, the recording sheet can be removed by pulling the recording sheet in the arrow direction c ′. Thus, the recording sheet S is stored in the cassette 9.
Therefore, various kinds of information regarding the imaging of the patient can be directly obtained from the recording sheet S. Note that the recording medium is not limited to the above-described recording sheet S, and may be an IC card, a magnetic card, a floppy disk, or the like in which information on imaging of a subject is recorded. When these recording media are used, information can be read by attaching a reader to the device.

On the upper surface of the cassette 9 in FIG.
As a display means for displaying information regarding the patient's imaging, a whiteboard unit 9 which is an area where information can be repeatedly written
30 are provided. This whiteboard part 930
Is made of a hard acrylic resin or the like, and can write information about imaging of a patient with a writing instrument of an aqueous ink or the like, and can be erased by wiping with a soft material such as cloth or tissue paper. Thereby, information can be repeatedly written on the whiteboard unit 930.
By writing information to the whiteboard unit 930,
It is possible to directly obtain information on the patient's imaging, and it is not necessary to read the above-mentioned recording sheet S, so that the information can be quickly known. When the cassette for which the reading process has been completed is to be used for the next new photographing, the written information can be erased.

The information relating to the imaging of the patient includes the patient's name, ID (identification) number, sex, etc. as the subject identification information, and the chest, abdomen, waist, and the like as the imaging part direction information.
There are imaging parts such as the head, imaging directions such as the front and side of the chest, and irradiation directions when irradiating from the front to the back of the chest.In addition, as diagnostic and treatment destination information, internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, etc. There is a ward number, etc.

An area in which information regarding the patient's radiography can be repeatedly written is provided by a flexible board which is fixed to the surface of the cassette 9 and has a slight adhesive property and is colored, and a translucent board which is lightly attached thereon. You may comprise from a very thin sheet.
Information can be written by writing on an ultra-thin sheet with a writing tool or the like so as to press the board, and can be erased by removing the ultra-thin sheet. Further, such a region where repetitive writing is possible may be provided on another portion or another surface of the cassette 9.

Next, the cassette stacker unit 3 and the operation unit 7
Will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the cassette stacker unit 3 includes a cassette input unit 300 which is disposed on the upper left side of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus 1 and has a plurality of slots into which the cassette 9 is inserted. The operation unit 7 is arranged near the cassette stacker unit 3 in the upper part of the apparatus 1. With this arrangement, the cassette 9 can be loaded into the loading section 300 of the cassette stacker section 3 while performing a predetermined operation with the operation section 7, so that the operation is easy.

The input section 300 of the cassette stacker section 3
Storage section 3 for storing input guide section 301 and cassette 9
02. The loading guide unit 301 includes a storage unit 3002
And is configured to guide the cassette 9 to the storage portion 302 while maintaining a horizontal state.
The cassette 9 is housed and held in the housing section 302 with a predetermined gap kept therebetween.

The cassette 9 is inserted in the direction of the arrow 912 in FIG. 5 with the long side of the cassette being horizontal. When the cassette 9 is inserted into the storage unit 302 in this manner, the surface of the cassette 9 provided with the whiteboard unit 930 and the like faces the operation unit 7 as shown in FIG. While viewing the written information, the user can perform the operation of inserting the cassette 9, during this operation, it is possible to confirm information relating to imaging of the patient, and it is possible to remove the recording sheet attached to the locking clip 913. it can.

Next, the cassette 9 is connected to the guide portion 301 shown in FIG.
It is loaded into the storage unit 302 while sliding on the top. Simultaneously with the insertion, the light-blocking shutter 303 provided at the opening of the storage section 302 for each slot is closed to prevent light leakage from the outside. At this time, by reading the identification sticker 911 with a reading sensor (not shown) arranged in the storage section 302, the insertion direction of the cassette and the front and back thereof are determined. A light emitting section 304 provided on an upper portion of the light emitting device 302 emits light to notify a user. In addition, the light emitting unit 304 emits light of another color during the reading process of the cassette to notify that the reading process is being performed. Further, a warning by a buzzer or the like may be issued at the time of incorrect insertion.

Next, a modified example of the cassette 9 having an identification switch as another display means for displaying information relating to imaging of a patient will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, an identification switch 932 representing an imaging part such as the chest, abdomen, waist, head, etc.
An identification switch 933 indicating the imaging irradiation direction is provided on the surface of the case half 900 of the cassette 9. Each of the identification switches 923 and 933 includes a plurality of dip switches. Each dip switch has a slide portion 934 in which a circle (O) is drawn. 'Slide it with your nails
Its position can be changed in two stages, upper and lower.

The above identification switches 932, 933
A predetermined display can be made according to the position of each slide portion 934. For example, when the slide portion 934 of the DIP switch 932a in the identification switch 932 is at the position shown in the figure, it indicates that the imaging region of the patient of the cassette 9 is the chest. When the slide portion 934 of the DIP switch 933a of the identification switch 933 is at the position shown in the figure, it indicates that the imaging irradiation direction of the patient is AP (irradiation from the front to the back of the chest). The irradiation direction PA indicates irradiation from the back to the front of the chest, RL indicates irradiation from right to left, and LR indicates irradiation from left to right. Further, by providing such an identification switch, other information can be displayed.

Next, a modified example of the cassette 9 having an identification mark as another display means for displaying information relating to imaging of a patient will be described with reference to FIG. An identification mark 935 composed of a two-dimensional identification code formed in a black and white grid is displayed on the cassette 9.
Is attached on the surface of the case half 900. By variously combining the black and white of the identification mark 935, information such as a patient name and an imaging part can be recorded, and this information is read by a two-dimensional identification code reader (not shown).
Is read and displayed.

Also, by changing the color of the side surface portion 900b or the cap portion 907 of the cassette 9 in various ways, it is possible to constitute, for example, identification marks for identifying medical treatment destinations such as internal medicine, surgery, etc., and their wards by color. Also, the part that changes the color is
The entire cassette may be used, or another easy-to-see portion may be used. In this way, when there are many photographed cassettes, it is easy to identify them. In addition, as such an identification mark, there are a one-dimensional identification code, a color-coded marker mark for performing a predetermined display in a plurality of colors, an identification mark for performing a predetermined display in various shapes, and the like. Can be used. Further, these identification markers may be used in combination.

Next, a cassette 9 having a liquid crystal display unit as still another display means for displaying information relating to imaging of a patient.
A modified example will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, a display unit 93 composed of a liquid crystal panel capable of performing a predetermined display.
6 is provided on the surface of the case half 900 of the cassette 9. The display unit 936 is provided with an input unit 937 formed of a touch panel below the input unit 937 for inputting information. Various information relating to imaging of a patient is input from the input unit 937, and the information is displayed on the display unit 936. can do.

As a power source for the display unit 936, for example, a battery unit can be provided inside the cassette 9. Further, a display element such as an LED may be used as the display unit. Further, the identification mark 935 of FIG. 9 may be provided at the position shown in FIG. 10 on the cassette 9 of FIG. 10, and the information read by the reader may be displayed on the display unit 936. Thereby, input of information becomes easy.

It should be noted that FIGS. 5, 8, 9 and 1 shown in FIGS.
0 each display means 930, 932, 933, 935, 93
6 can be used in combination as needed. This makes it possible to change the display means according to the information to be displayed or to cope with an increase in the amount of information.

[0041]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cassette for a radiation image recording / reading apparatus which can obtain information on imaging of a subject from the cassette itself used in the radiation image recording / reading apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a radiation image recording / reading apparatus main body that can use a cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cassette according to the present embodiment, which is loaded into the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a radiation image conversion plate stored in the cassette shown in FIG. 2 is pulled out.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which a radiation image conversion plate is housed in the cassette of FIG. 2, omitting an upper case half.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the cassette showing the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;

6 is a cross-sectional view of the cassette shown in FIG. 5 taken along line VI-VI.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the radiation image recording and reading apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a cassette showing a modification of the display means.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a cassette showing a modification of the display means.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a cassette showing a modification of the display means.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 radiation image recording and reading apparatus 2 apparatus main body 3 cassette stacker section (cassette loading section) 4 plate transport section (transporting means) 5 image reading section 6 system control section 7 operation section 8 power supply section 9 cassette 12 radiation image conversion plate (recording plate) ) 913 Locking clip (holding means) 930 Whiteboard (area that can be repeatedly written) 932,933 Identification switch 935 Identification mark 936 Display unit (display element) S Recording sheet (recording medium)

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A radiation image recording / reading apparatus having a cassette loading section for reading image information from a recording plate on which a radiation image has been recorded by radiography of a subject, storing the recording plate, and loading the cassette in the cassette loading section. A cassette for a radiation image recording and reading apparatus, comprising: a display unit for displaying information relating to imaging of a subject. 2. A cassette for a radiation image recording and reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means has an area in which said information can be repeatedly written. 3. The cassette for a radiation image recording and reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means includes an identification switch for indicating said information. 4. The cassette for a radiation image recording and reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means has an identification mark indicating said information. 5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said display means includes a display element electrically driven to display said information.
5. The cassette for a radiation image recording and reading device according to 3 or 4. 6. The radiographic image recording / reading apparatus further comprises an operation section for controlling the apparatus near the cassette loading section, and the display means switches the operation section when the cassette is loaded into the cassette loading section. The radiation image recording and reading apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the radiation image recording and reading apparatus is provided on a surface that faces. 7. A radiation image recording / reading apparatus including a cassette loading section for reading image information from a recording plate on which a radiation image is recorded by radiography of a subject, storing the recording plate, and loading the cassette in the cassette loading section. A cassette for a radiation image recording and reading apparatus, comprising: a holding unit for holding a recording medium on which information regarding imaging of a subject is recorded. 8. The information as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information is subject identification information, imaging region direction information, or diagnostic treatment destination information.
The cassette for a radiation image recording and reading apparatus according to 4, 5, 6, or 7.