JPS6125530A - X-ray photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention 1] The present invention relates to an X@ photographing lock capable of 1-digit radial delta graph processing.

[Technical features of the invention and its problems 1] Jubei, J゛ Digital Radiation ft'i LA: Take out the X-ray transmission image as an electric (No.
There is a way to display an image on the screen.

An example of a system configuration for implementing the above method is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, X-rays (J) emitted from an X-ray tube 1 pass through a subject 2 and are accumulated as a latent image on an X-ray image storage sheet 3 coated with a photostimulable fluorescent substance. The X-ray image storage sheet 3 is taken out from the X-ray imaging device and attached to the image reading device u4.Then, the image information is taken out as an electrical signal from the X-ray image storage sheet 3 by the image capturing device 4, and the image information is sent to the image processing device. After performing image processing such as subtraction in Step 5, the image is burned onto a film 8 by an image recording device 6, and an X-ray photograph 10 is formed by an automatic developing device 9. Temporarily record it in a recording device such as a device@7.

The outline of the system is as shown above, but there are various modifications to the system.

The configuration of the image reading device δ4 is shown in FIG. Then, the small diameter sea 1f beam light is 7
[On the rotating reflector 23 of the writing], X-ray image storage sheet 1~
Scan the surface of 3. X-ray number '+ sea 1 to 33 is
Since the belt 2/I is placed on the soil running by the rollers 25, the laser beam moves clearly in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure.

In addition, 1. The laser beam light scans the entire surface of the X-ray image storage sheet 3.

The laser beam light illuminates the photostimulable fluorescent substance on the X-ray image storage sheet 3.
1, the wavelength of the laser beam light is 1.1 Fj 1, the amount of light is proportional to the X-ray m received by the embryonic fluorescent substance. Ru. Therefore, an X-ray image can be reproduced by the luminous waves of the fluorescent light. Therefore,
The fluorescent light is collected by a focusing optical fiber 26 and converted into an electrical signal by a photomultiplier tube 27. Then, the amount of change 28 in the electrical signal is set as the amount of electricity necessary for the image reading device 5 in FIG. 1 to reproduce the X-ray image.

The configuration of the image recording device 6 is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, the laser beam of the laser tube 31, which is different from the laser tube 21, is transmitted through a lens 32, and the change ff
! The laser beam is modulated by an optical modulator 34 which inputs an electric signal having 28, and the rotating reflector 33
By scanning the soil with Ray IJ' light, the film 36
forms an X-ray latent image on

The film 36 is moved by the roller 35 in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure at a speed synchronized with the scanning of the see 1 light to form an XI latent image on the entire surface of the film 36. An X-ray reconstruction can be obtained by visually viewing the film 36 having the X-ray latent image.

A more specific configuration of the series of systems is shown in FIG.

X-ray image accumulation sheet taken with xllil imaging device;・
3 is taken out from the X-ray imaging apparatus while being accommodated in the cassette or magazine. Here, a cassette is a light-shielding container that stores one X-ray image storage sheet 1-3, and a magazine is a container that stores a plurality of X-ray image storage sheets, for example, 10...550 X-ray image storage sheets.
! i! This is a light-shielding storage container that accommodates image storage containers 1 to 33.

X-ray image accumulation sheet 3
Accommodates 21. : Press the cassette 11 into the feeder 101 or press the station 4f into the magazine feeder 102 (1° cassette)
0 takes out the X-ray image storage sheet 3 using the suction cup 111A and transports it to the IP stacker 104 using the first transport means 112 consisting of a roller and a belt. The magazine feeder 102 also sucks f! At step A11B, the X-ray image storage sheets 1 to 3 that have been photographed are taken out one by one and conveyed to the IP stacker 104 by the second conveying means 114 consisting of [ ] and a lap belt. The first transport means 112J3 and the second
The conveying means 114 connects the connection part 103 to the IP stack coos 115 by means of a shuttle. X-ray images # conveyed by either the first conveyance means 112 or the second conveyance means 114 are accumulated in the IP stack case 115. After accumulation, the IP stack case 115 116J
3 and 117 i1/1dj, and this causes the X initially put into IP stack goose 115
Line image storage sheet 3? The image reading device 10 is located in the IR-1 and becomes in a state where first-in first-out is possible, and then the image reading device 10 is
5.

The image reading device 105 basically has the configuration shown in FIG. The X-ray image storage sheet 3 after being read by the image reading device 105 is sent to the IP sorter 10G.

In the IP sorter 106, the image information of the X-ray image storage sheets 1 to 3 is erased by the erasing device 118. The erasing device 118 is
The image information is erased by irradiating the surface of the X-ray image storage sheets 1 to 3 with light of 200,000 lux/second or more using a special fluorescent lamp (IIi, electric light or electric light). After erasing the image information, the X-ray image number sheets i to 3 are divided into 11 parts and stored in the tray 119 according to their size, and when a predetermined number of three X-ray image storage sheets are collected in the trays 1 to 119. Then, the tray 119 and the X-ray image storage sheet 3 are taken out and used for the next X-ray photographing.

On the other hand, the image information read and obtained by the image reading device 105 is output as an electrical signal to the image processing unit 107, where it undergoes processing such as storage and execution, and then is converted into an electrical signal indicating the processed image information. is output to the image recording device 108.

The image recording HIff 108 basically has the configuration shown in FIG. In the image recording device 108, X-ray films are taken out one by one from the film magazine 120, and the X-ray films are exposed to X-rays by being irradiated with a laser beam modulated by the optical modulator 34 output from the radiation tube 31.
Forms a latent in the line film. The X-ray film on which the latent image has been formed is transported to an automatic developing device 9 and subjected to C development.

The above is the basic concept of digital radiography using an X-ray image storage sheet containing a stimulable phosphor. In order to improve the performance of the system, the image reading device shown in Fig. 2 extracts the XwA image stacked on the d3C as light and converts it into an electrical signal using a photomultiplier tube. Decoy part (because there is a slight change in the electrical signal received by Q etc.,
It is desirable to optimally manipulate the operation of photomultiplier tubes.

For this reason, a pre-read operation is performed prior to the actual reading. 3L, hang another similar device in front of the reading device shown in Figure 2, or insert the pre-reading device in the reading device shown in Figure 2, then return the X-ray image storage sheet to this reading station again. The book is read by inserting it into a reed.

In the look-ahead operation, the laser beam is 3IllIllφ
, the output is 115 in the main reading, the size of the image is 2IIl11×
2Il1m, and skip 17 at intervals of 2ffl111 to obtain approximate image data to obtain the XI! contained in the X-ray image accumulation sheet. By knowing the intensity of the latent image and creating a histogram of the emission m (X-ray intensity) and its frequency in the scanning area, we remove unnecessary X-ray parts that have passed outside the human body and identify the parts that are truly necessary for diagnosis. The purpose is to understand the X-ray intensity distribution area of , and divide this area into 8 or 10 bits so that the effective portion can be divided appropriately. As a result, the amplification degree of the photomultiplier tube can be optimally controlled according to the accumulated X-ray intensity, and the maximum transient region can always be obtained. What is the name of the information?

However, this read-ahead method has the problems that it takes an extra amount of time to complete reading, that it is necessary to separate each wavelength of excitation light and emission light, and that the device becomes larger. .

On the other hand, X-ray image reception (n and fluorescence emission m) of stimulable phosphors
By using the fact that
A photomultiplier tube, a silicon detector, a solar cell, a dancing image tube, etc. are strung directly on the line image sheet to detect the Sanskrit skewer,
A person who performs the same operation as above
80) Yes.

This lj method is the same as the above-mentioned pre-reading method, but it detects by the optical output of the person receiving the X-ray image. 〜Grano, i'1, I'1, I can express the density within a certain frequency range!''j as ten of the photographic film density. Figure 5 (△)
(If the frequency m of the photodetector output is Δ, +3.0°D, -
When images are taken under different conditions, the effective density of the film changes as shown in Figure 5 (B) in relation to the output of the photodetector according to its history. .

By this method, an X-ray photographic film corresponding to 111 degrees of the X-ray image can be obtained, and it is also possible to convert the white line property of J and J11 in FIG. 6.

However, in this method, photomultiplier tubes and iron (%! 'i
In the case of T, there is a problem in that the detection unit becomes large, and in the case of a silicon detector solar cell, etc., there is a problem in matching the emission wavelength and the reception @ melon.

1. Purpose of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and is an X-ray imaging apparatus that can obtain desirable images of a child without being influenced by the imaging conditions or the region to be imaged. 7.

[Summary of the Invention] Summary of the present invention to achieve the above object (1. In an xmm shadow of 8m using a stimulable phosphor, a plurality of half-diagrams 4-detection on the back of an X-ray image storage sheet) Arrange the vessels in a board shape,
During X-ray imaging, X-rays transmitted through the X-ray image storage sheet are received by the plurality of semiconductor detectors, and the outputs are differentially analyzed to obtain information regarding the characteristics of each individual X-ray image. 1 degree, and later read out from the X51 image storage sheet to ?
The use of 1'l information is defined as +:j ff3.

[Embodiment I of the invention The present invention will be simply explained with reference to a few examples.

1. FIG. 7 LL is a strategic diagram of the present invention.

In FIG. 7, the X-ray image storage door 3F and C are received, but the portion 3F is transmitted without being absorbed.

X-ray image? An X-ray detector consisting of a series-in semiconductor element is installed at the top of the sheet 1-, and it generates a current (or voltage) depending on the intensity of the X-rays that have passed through the X-ray image storage sheet. After amplifying this with the amplifier 75, the discrimination circuit 7
6 to discriminate the maximum, minimum value, and other frequency distribution of output intensity, etc., and once accumulate these, when reading out the xi image storage sheet, the light modulation shown in Fig. 3 is used as a signal equivalent to Ig @ 28 in Fig. 3. input to the device 34.

The advantages of this method are that there is no need for pre-reading as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, so there is no time loss, and information can be retrieved at the same time as the X-ray image is taken.

In addition, as in the case of JP-A-55-50180, the image pickup tube <
1 is not used, it can be made smaller, and there is also the advantage that there is no problem of compatibility between the emitted and received light waves (I), which is the case when detection is performed with a photodetector.

As the semiconductor detector 74 used in the method of the present invention, for example, a surface barrier type semiconductor detector using n-type silicon is suitable.

In one element, as shown in FIG. 8, a silicon oxide layer 83 is inserted between an aluminum electrode 81 and a gold N-electrode 82.

Silicon element 4A has high purity.
d and the hole diffusion constant Dp become larger, and the hole diffusion length]
-p (-β)El-〒1-) becomes longer. Gagatsu C
1 In ordinary radiation detectors, even if the sensitive region (depletion layer) is not diffused by applying a reverse bias, which is common knowledge,
If the distance between the electrodes is 11 times the same as the hole diffusion length, it is possible to obtain a hole diffusion signal current of 1 minute.

This means that the IF, I by j1, h expression is IiJ 111
In other words, the non-bias method does not require the application of high voltage, which simplifies the subsequent electronic circuit, making it easier to use multiple elements, and the leakage current (dark current) from the pincer becomes minute. Excellent temperature stability and improved minimum detection limit can be obtained.

This ending! A seven-body detector 74 is made to have a size of 1 cm x 1 cm to 5 cra x 5 cm, has multiple elements, and is placed on the back side of the X-ray image storage sheet.

For example, the size of the X-ray image storage sheet is 40cm x 40C.
If you line up 4 cm x 4 cm semiconductor detectors, you'll have 10 x 10 detectors lined up. In reality, it is preferably about 2 cm x 2 cm, so
Approximately 20 x 20 (400) elements are required.

Currently, if a semiconductor detector is made from a wafer, the size of the wafer is the same root τ of diameter 12.50111.
・Since there are many cases, only I Qcmx l Qcm of Hitaya can be obtained, and the raw material is 2. ? ]Cl1lX2
When the diameter is 5 cm, there will be 4 x 4 pieces, and a large number of these will be lined up (Figure 9).When making 6 types of amorphous material, the size can be roughly changed.

Of course, this IVI body element is not limited to Series 1.

An example of the operation of this system is the use of [1] Card. The ID card is Ia exclusively for this system.
The following information is recorded by the ID iN included IHff card.

"Patient No. 1, patient name, loyal date of birth, patient supplementary regulations, and other necessary information."

During the X-ray dance, X#! i! Vji shadow operation nearby shikor
An ID ID terminal is installed, and when an ID card is inserted into the terminal, the information recorded on the ID card can be read.

Further, using the keyboard of the ID terminal, it is possible to input information such as whether or not there is a need to store images of nine parts, nine parts, and other information necessary for this system.

In addition, each of the X-ray image storage sheets 1 to 1 (also referred to as IP) used for radiography is assigned a unique number using a barcode, and this number is read using a barcode reader during radiography. Read, ID card number, (patient'i!
:No, ). This reading is performed manually each time the cassette device is used in the case of a cassette type photographing table, and automatically in the case of a cassette type photographing table. This makes it possible to check the X-ray image storage sheet, patient number, imaging conditions, etc.

This information is stored in the image processing controller @IPC. Even when the X-ray image storage sheet is subsequently read by the reading device (IPD), the barcode on the X-ray image storage sheet is always read and recorded in advance and compared with the information in the IPC.

Therefore, when operating this system, even when extracting X-ray intensity information using a semiconductor detector, patient number, IP NOl, etc.
Verification can be easily performed.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention detailed above, a plurality of semiconductor detectors are arranged in a plate shape on the spine of the X-ray image storage sheet, and X-ray II! The X-rays transmitted through the XFII image storage sheet at the time of shadowing are received by the plurality of semiconductor detectors C, and the output is differentially analyzed to accumulate information regarding the characteristics of each X-ray image, and later the X-ray image is By using the stored information as reference information for the signal at the stage of reading out the stored image from the stored sea 1-, time loss and stored energy loss in the pre-reading operation of the xstii image can be eliminated compared to the conventional method. At the same time, it is possible to provide an X-ray photographing apparatus that allows the apparatus to be made smaller and that can provide highly accurate information by directly converting X-ray signals into information.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 shows the configuration of digital radiography107
9 and 2 show the configuration of the X-ray image information reading device included in the device shown in FIG. , Figure 4 shows the configuration of the X-ray image information reading system used in the present invention! 5<A), <8) and FIG. 6 are characteristic diagrams for explaining the characteristics of the detector used in the present invention, respectively, and FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of the present invention. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are diagrams each showing an example of the configuration of a detector used in the present invention. 73...X-ray image storage sheet containing stimulable phosphor, 74...Semiconductor detector. Agent Patent attorney Kensuke Norichika (and 1 other person) Kei 5 Zuhara - Itcho 11, Denryoku 7 Ω 771 Funeral 8

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an X-ray imaging device that uses stimulable phosphors, multiple semiconductor detectors are arranged in a plate shape behind the X-ray image storage sheet, and the X-rays that have passed through the X-ray image storage sheet during X-ray imaging are The outputs received by the plurality of semiconductor detectors are differentially analyzed to accumulate information regarding the characteristics of each individual X-ray image, and later as reference information for the signal at the stage of reading out the accumulated images from the X-ray image accumulation sheet. An X-ray imaging apparatus characterized in that the accumulated information is used.