JPS6322462A - Radiation image converter panel converter panel transfer method, radiation image converter panel and radiation image converter panel transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To seek to supply the desired panel preferentially by exiting plural panel absorbent unit provided with electromagnetic and releasing excitement at the specified position after transferring on plural run ways respectively. CONSTITUTION:Plural panel absorbent units 22 consisting of brackets hanging electromagnets are so placed as to be free in running in a guide member 21 having plural run ways 25, 25a, 25b by a driving device. For each of these panel absorbent units 22, the electromagnet is excited at one end 23 part of the run way and the panel is absorbed and in that condition, the unit is transferred to each branch way 25, 25a, 25b. Then the desired panel absorbent unit 22 is sent to the other end of the run way 24 from the branch way according to the priority order. And the excitation of the electromagnet is released and the panel being held is sent to a reading part. Accordingly, the desired panel can be taken out preferentially regardless of the panel receipt order.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of the Invention] The present invention provides an apparatus for implementing a radiation image conversion method using a radiation image conversion panel using a stimulable phosphor.
The present invention relates to a method of transporting a panel, a radiation image conversion panel used in the method, and a panel transport device for implementing the method.

[Technical Background and Prior Art of the Invention] When a certain type of phosphor is irradiated with radiation (X-rays, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.), some of this radiation energy is absorbed into the phosphor. It is known that when this phosphor is irradiated with excitation light such as visible light, the phosphor exhibits stimulated luminescence depending on the accumulated energy. It is called a stimulable phosphor. Using this Ma-based phosphor, radiation image information of a subject such as a human body is recorded on a radiation image conversion panel (stimulable phosphor sheet) having a -H sheet-like stimulable phosphor layer, and the radiation image conversion is performed. A panel is scanned with excitation light such as a laser beam to generate stimulated luminescence light, the resulting stimulated luminescence light is read photoelectrically to obtain an image signal, and based on this image signal, a radiation image of the subject is photographed. Recording materials such as materials, CR
The present applicant has already proposed a radiation image information recording and reproducing system that outputs a visible image to a T or the like.

(JP-A-55-12429, JP-A No. 56-11395,
(No. 55-163472, No. 56-104645, No. 55-116340, etc.) Note that the above panel does not ultimately record image information, but is used temporarily to provide an image to the final recording medium as described above. For example, the radiation energy remaining in the radiation image conversion panel after the stimulated luminescence light is read is stored in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56
As shown in Publication No. 11392 and Publication No. 56-12599, it can be used repeatedly by irradiating the panel with light or heat and the residual radiation image disappears, and it is extremely economical to use it repeatedly. It is true.

By the way, in the system described in -, the radiation image conversion panel is usually housed in a cassette that holds it in a light-shielded state,
After a radiographic image is recorded, it is loaded into an image reading device while being housed in a cassette, and then taken out from the cassette and conveyed to a reading section.

However, in conventional image reading devices, only one cassette can be loaded into the cassette loading section, so if you want to continuously read a panel on which multiple images have been recorded, for example, if you want to continuously read a panel on which multiple images have been recorded, If you want to sequentially read the panels that have been photographed, load the cassette containing the panels containing one image into the device, remove the panels from the cassette, and wait for the reading to finish. This cassette must be removed from the device and the next cassette containing the panel loaded into the device, and the process must be repeated. As a result, workers are forced to wait for the cassettes that have been photographed, which increases the time required to replace the cassettes, making the task of replacing the cassettes cumbersome and inefficient. occurs.

Therefore, an image reading device is also known in which a stacker is provided between a cassette loading section and a reading section, and after a panel is taken out from the cassette, a plurality of panels are temporarily accumulated and accommodated and left on standby. However, the stacker has a complicated mechanism such as taking out the previously stored panel first, which increases the cost, and the provision of the stacker increases the size of the reading device itself. Furthermore, since the panels are stacked and stored in a stacker, the panels rub against each other, causing scratches on the panel surface and shortening the life of the panel.

[Object of the Invention] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for transporting a radiation image conversion panel that is effective in enabling a radiation image conversion method to be carried out more efficiently.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel radiation image conversion panel that is suitably used in the method for transporting a radiation image conversion panel.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a radiation image conversion panel transfer device used to realize a radiation image conversion panel transfer method that is effective in making the radiation image conversion method more efficient. is also its purpose.

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention is directed to excitation of an electromagnet in a panel suction unit of a radiation image conversion panel moving device comprising a plurality of panel suction units each equipped with an electromagnet, and a support formed of a magnetizable material or a magnetizable material. A radiation image conversion panel having a support made of a non-magnetized material is received by adsorption, and the panel is moved to a predetermined position while maintaining the adsorption state, and then the The method of transporting a radiation image conversion panel is characterized in that the electromagnet is de-energized and the panel is supplied to the predetermined position.

Further, the present invention provides a support body made of a magnetizable material or a support body formed of a non-magnetic material, and a magnetic material piece is provided on the back surface of the support body. A radiation image conversion panel characterized in that:

Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that it includes a self-propelled radiation image conversion panel suction unit equipped with a plurality of electromagnets, and a panel suction unit guide member that guides the panel suction unit to move according to a predetermined circuit. Located in the radiation image conversion panel transfer device.

Note that the term "magnetizable material" as used herein is a general term for materials that can be attracted by a magnet, such as iron, cobalt, and nickel.

[Effects of the Invention] By using the method and apparatus for transporting a radiation image conversion panel of the present invention, it is possible to carry out the radiation image conversion method more efficiently.

That is, in the method and apparatus for transporting a radiation image conversion panel of the present invention, each radiation image conversion panel containing a magnetizable material is adsorbed to a support by a plurality of panel adsorption units equipped with electromagnets, and the adsorption state is checked. Since the panels are continuously moved and supplied, there is no need to separately provide a storage section (accumulation device) for temporarily storing the panels in the transportation process, unlike in the past, and the panels can be stored during the movement process. can be done.

In addition, since the panels are received and transferred one by one, there is no need to take out two panels at the same time because their surfaces are in close contact with each other, and two panels do not rub against each other, resulting in a smooth panel. supply.

In addition, the panel of the present invention has a magnetizable material etc. provided on the panel used or its back surface (supporting body) side, and is configured to be able to be attracted to an electromagnet, so it does not matter the size of the panel shape. This makes it possible to easily move (supply) panels.

Further, in the method and apparatus for transporting a radiation image conversion panel of the present invention, the panel is sucked by a plurality of panel suction units,
Since panels can be taken out and supplied without being restricted by the order in which panels are placed in a standby (accommodated) state, desired panels can be supplied in advance.

Therefore, it is possible to preferentially read the radiographic image recorded on a specific radiographic image conversion panel, and it is also possible to respond to the desire to know the radiographic image of a specific patient as soon as possible.

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Next, the transfer blade υζ of the radiation image conversion panel of the present invention and the apparatus will be used to transfer the radiation image shown in FIG. The description will be given without reference to the image reading device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of a radiation image reading device equipped with a radiation image conversion panel moving device according to the present invention, viewed from the front. Moreover, FIG. 1-A is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the device when viewed from the - plane. The details of the various functions of the radiation image reading device itself are already known, but in order to facilitate understanding of the radiation image conversion panel supply device of the present invention, the device will be briefly described below.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1-A, the radiation image reading device includes a cassette holding section A, a radiation image conversion panel transfer bag 6B, and a residual energy eliminating section for the panel reading section C1. A moving tray 12 is arranged between the cassette holding section A and the radiation image conversion panel transfer device B, and an inclined plate 13 is arranged between the radiation image conversion panel transfer device B and the reading section C. , conveyor belts 14a, 14
b, 14c, 14d and a traverse table 15 are provided. Further, a stacking section E for stacking and storing panels of the erasing method is disposed adjacent to the outside of the erasing section of the device.

A radiation image conversion panel on which a radiation image has been recorded in an imaging device (not shown) is housed in a cassette 10,
First, it is attached to the cassette holding part A.

Ru. The cassette 10 is opened at its holding portion A using a cassette opening means 11 such as a suction cup as shown in the figure. Furthermore, after the end of the housed panel itself is suctioned by a separately provided suction cup or the like and separated from the cassette, the suction to the panel P is stopped and the panel slides onto the moving tray 12. This moving tray 12 has the function of placing the panel P, and is configured to move between the position shown by the solid line and the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. After receiving the panel, the panel is moved to a position convenient for transferring the panel to the radiation image conversion panel transfer device B. The panel is transferred from the tray 12 to the radiation image conversion panel transfer device B.
will be moved (accommodated) to.

Next, regarding this radiation image conversion panel transfer device B,
This will be explained with reference to FIG. 2 and subsequent figures.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the radiation image conversion panel transfer device B. FIG. Moreover, FIG. 2-A is a sectional view taken along the line I--I of the apparatus shown in FIG. .

The radiation image conversion panel transfer device B includes a panel suction unit guide member 21 (hereinafter simply referred to as a guide path) and a Miki panel suction unit 22 that moves along this guide path.

The guide member 21 has one running path 23 and 24 at its front end and rear end, respectively, and a branch-shaped Miki running path and
Stop paths 25, 25a and 25b are sandwiched and formed. Then, from the tip 23, the running/stopping path 25.25a, 2
Switching members 26a, 26a',
26b and 26b' are provided respectively.

The length and route (overall shape) of such a guide path are determined by the equipment installed.

The panel suction unit 22b is formed by suspending an electromagnet 27, and the radiation image conversion panel P is attracted and moved by this electromagnet. At the upper end of the unit,
A movable bracket 28 that engages with the travel path of the guide path member 21 is provided.

The panel suction unit 22 and guide member 21 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing details of how the panel suction unit 22 is held by the guide member 21 in a suspended state.

As shown in the figure, the travel paths 23 and 24 (or the travel/stop paths 25, 25a, 25b) of the guide path 21 are formed with a substantially reverse concave cross section, and the panel suction unit 22 is suspended from the opening thereof. Protrusions 33a and 33b are provided so that the vehicle can run in a state where the vehicle is in good condition. However, the shape of the guide path is not limited to the above-mentioned shape, and may be any structure that allows the panel suction unit to travel in a suspended state. Other shapes of the guide path include, for example, a substantially I-shaped cross section and a substantially inverted T-shaped cross section.

As mentioned above, the shape (route) of the guide path is determined in consideration of the movement space of the device, and the number of panels that can be waited for (accommodated), that is, the number of running/stopping paths, is determined as necessary. It can be decided.

The panel suction unit 22 engages with the guide path and becomes suspended after two days of the movable bracket. The movable bracket 28 has a box shape, and its upper plate 35 has engaging pieces 35a, 35b that engage with the protrusions 33a, 33b.
is provided. Furthermore, wheels 36a and 36b are disposed on the engagement pieces 35a and 35b, respectively, and both axles 36a and 36b are connected to a drive source such as a motor 37, and the two protrusions 33a and 33b mentioned above are connected to a drive source such as a motor 37. Driving on the surface.

Further, an electromagnet 27 is provided on the lower plate 34 of the movable bracket 28.
A vertical moving means 39 is provided, which is a combination of a wire hoist 39a and a drive source such as a motor 39b, which is capable of suspending and stopping at a desired height position. The means 39 allows the electromagnet 27 to be moved up and down, thereby making it easier to attract the panel to the electromagnet 27 or to transfer it from the attracted state to the inclined plate 13.

Here, the radiation image conversion panel of the present invention that can be used in the radiation image conversion panel transfer device B will be explained.

The radiation image conversion panel of the present invention needs to be configured so that it can be attracted to the electromagnet of the transfer device B. Specifically, it has the basic structure of a conventionally used radiation image conversion panel, and the support is made of a magnetizable material such as iron, or the support is made of a piece of magnetizable material. It is formed from a support made of a non-magnetic material such as plastic.

Examples of the magnetizable material include, in addition to iron, alloys containing iron, cobalt, nickel, and the like.

A support made of non-magnetic material with a piece of magnetic material on the back side is
It can be made by adhering a piece of magnetic material to the back surface of the support using an adhesive. In this case, the magnetized material foil does not necessarily need to be provided on the entire back surface of the support, but considering the operation of attracting the panel to the electromagnet, the stability of the panel when suspended, or the reading operation, it is necessary to Preferably, it is attached to the entire back surface of the body.

Next, the operation of the transfer device B will be explained in detail.

The storage (standby) of the radiation image conversion panel in the transfer device B is performed by the following operation.

First, the panel suction unit 22 is moved to the tip 23 of the guide path 21 in order to receive the panel P taken out from the cassette 10 and placed on the moving tray 12 into the radiation image conversion panel transfer device B. . At this time, the movable tray 12 has moved to the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. Then, the vertical movement means 39 is actuated so that the electromagnet 27
The height of the electromagnet 27 is adjusted and the electromagnet 27 is excited to attract the panel P. Next, while raising the height of the electromagnet 27, the unit 22 is moved from the tip end 23 along the running path, and further moved to the running/stopping path 25. The movement operation of the unit (operation of the self-propelled unit) during this movement is as described above, and the switching point at the branch point, for example, 26a, is also set in advance so that it becomes the predetermined travel path at the same time. Be manipulated. In this way, the panel P is suspended from the electromagnet 27 and
will be housed and wait.

The panels P accommodated as described above are supplied onto the inclined plate 13.

That is, a travel command is given to the panel suction unit 22 to move the units 1 to 24 along the travel path of the guide path 21 from the travel/stop path 25 . The stopping position of the unit at the rear end portion 24 is located exactly above the inclined plate 13. In this case,
The actuation of the switching point 26a' at the junction of the travel path 21a is carried out in advance in the same manner as described above.

After the unit 22 stops at the rear end 24,
Activating the vertical displacement means 39, as shown in FIG.
The height of the electromagnet 27 is adjusted so that the lower end of the panel P in the attracted state is approximately in contact with the inclined plate 13.

In this state, the electromagnet 27 is de-energized, and the panel P is
It is separated from the electromagnet 27 (the attraction force is released) and is supplied falling onto the inclined plate 13.

The above-mentioned supply operation can be similarly carried out for all panel adsorption units (panels) accommodated in the accommodation space (traveling/stopping path) of the transfer device.
The signals can be sequentially supplied to the reading section C.

Note that the order in which the panels are supplied to the inclined plate 13 is not limited to the order in which the panels are accommodated in the accommodation space, and desired panels can be selected and supplied. It is also possible to directly supply the sent panels to the inclined plate 13 without waiting (accommodating) them. That is,
It is also possible to preferentially supply desired panels to the inclined plate 13 regardless of the panels already accommodated.

The above-mentioned transfer device is an example, and the panel suction unit and the panel suction unit guide path, which are components, are configured by selecting those having similar functions within the scope of the basic configuration of the present invention. Of course, the above effects can also be obtained as a device.

The radiation image conversion panel P that has been dropped and supplied onto the inclined plate 13 from the radiation image conversion panel transfer device B as described above slides down the inclined plate 13'' and moves to the nip roller 13a.
further conveyed by the conveyor belts 14a, 14b,
It is transferred to the traverse table 15 by 14c and 14d.

The traverse table 15 has a flat portion 15a large enough to place a panel, and an electromagnet is disposed on the flat portion 15a. Further, the plane part 15a is movable up and down, and is configured so that panels can be supplied to the erasing part located on the upper part of the traverse table. A reading unit C is movably provided at the lowest position of the flat portion 15a of the traverse table, and a reading operation is performed. In the reading section C, a radiation image recorded on the panel is read by a reading means equipped with a photoelectric reading operation function. The normal reading means includes an excitation light irradiation device 16 including a laser generator and a detection device 17 including a photomultiplier that detects stimulated luminescence light generated from the panel. That is, the panel placed on the traverse table is exposed to the excitation light irradiation device 16.
A reading operation is performed using the detection device 17 and the detection device 17 . Since the panel on the traverse table is attracted by an electromagnet, the flatness of the panel is maintained, so that reading operations can be performed more advantageously.

The image information read photoelectrically in this way is reproduced as a visible image or information displayed as a symbol or the like via a converter (not shown) or the like.

The panel on which the reading operation has been completed is raised on the traverse table and sent to erase@ID as described above.

At this time, by tilting the traverse table to release the electromagnetic force, the panel can be naturally fed to the erasing section. In the erasing section, an erasing operation is performed to erase the radiation image (radiation energy) remaining on the panel. The erasing operation is performed by irradiating the panel with erasing light emitted from the erasing light s18. The panel subjected to the erasing operation in this manner becomes capable of recording radiation images again.

In other words, the radiation image conversion panel can be used repeatedly. The panels from which the residual radiation images have been erased in this way are stored in the tray 19 of the accumulation section E.

Although the above-mentioned conversion mode has been described with respect to an example in which the radiation image conversion panel transfer device according to the present invention is provided between the cassette holding portion and the reading portion of the radiation image reading device, the radiation image conversion panel transfer device of the present invention is For example, it can be used as a transport means between a reading section and an erasing section.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an example of a radiation image reading device equipped with the radiation image conversion panel transfer device of the present invention, and FIG. 1-A is a schematic plan view of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the radiation image conversion panel transfer device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line I--I in FIG. 2-A. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the panel suction unit is engaged with the panel suction unit guide member. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the panel is separated from the panel suction unit and moved to the inclined plate. A: Cassette holding section B: Radiographic image conversion panel transfer device C: Reading section D = Erasing section E: Accumulating section P: Radiographic image conversion panel IO: Cassette 1: Cassette opening means 12: Moving tray 13: Inclined plate 13a : Nip rollers 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d: Conveyor belt 15: Traverse table 15a: Plane section 16: Excitation light irradiation device 17: Detection device 18: Erasing light source 19: Tray 21: Panel suction unit guide member 22: Panel suction unit 23 .24: Running path 25. 25a, 25b 2 Running/stopping path 26a, 26a': Switching point 26b, 26b': Switching point 27: Electromagnet 28: Moving bracket 33a, 33b: Protrusion 34: Lower plate 35: '2 Plates 35a, 35b: Engagement pieces 36a, 36b Two wheels 37: Motor 39: Vertical movement means 39a: Wire hoist 39b = motor Patent applicant Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Attorney Patent attorney Yasushi Yanagawa Male 1st- Figure A Figure 2 Figure 2 - Figure 3 Procedural amendment (method) % formula % 2. Name of invention Method for transporting radiation image conversion panel, Radiation image conversion panel and radiation image conversion panel transport device 3, Correction Relationship with the case of a person who makes a patent application Name of patent applicant (520) Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. 4, Agent 6, Number of inventions increased by amendment None 7, Subject of amendment ``Brief explanation of drawings'' in the specification Column 8, Figure 2 of page 22, lines 10 to 11 of the statement of contents of the amendment is...
・It is a cross-sectional view. 1 is deleted and ``Figure 2-A is a sectional view taken along the line II in Figure 2.'' J is added.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The electromagnet of the panel adsorption unit of a radiation image conversion panel moving device comprising a plurality of panel adsorption units each having an electromagnet is excited, and the support is provided with a support formed of a magnetizable material or a piece of the magnetizable material. A radiation image conversion panel having a support formed of a non-magnetic material is received by adsorption, the panel is moved to a predetermined position while maintaining the adsorption state, and then the excitation of the electromagnet is released and the A method for transporting a radiation image conversion panel, comprising supplying the panel to a predetermined position. 2. 2. The method of transporting a radiation image conversion panel according to claim 1, wherein the radiation image conversion panel moving device includes a plurality of self-propelled panel suction units and a guide path for the panel suction units. 3. The support is either a support made of a magnetizable material, or a support made of a non-magnetic material, and a piece of magnetizable material is provided on the back surface of the support. A radiation image conversion panel characterized by: 4. A radiation image conversion panel transfer device comprising a self-propelled radiation image conversion panel suction unit equipped with a plurality of electromagnets and a panel suction unit guide member that guides the panel suction unit to move according to a predetermined circuit. . 5. The panel adsorption unit guide member has a leading end portion and a trailing end portion each having one running path, and a plurality of branched running/stopping paths formed therebetween. 5. The radiation image conversion panel transfer device according to claim 4, further comprising a switching means for selectively guiding the panel adsorption unit to one of the traveling and stopping paths. 6. The radiation image conversion panel transfer device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the self-propelled radiation image conversion panel suction unit moves by itself while holding the electromagnet in a suspended state. .