JP2010220924A - Radiation detection apparatus, radiographic imaging system, and radiographic imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a radiation detection device, a radiation image capturing system, and a radiation image capturing method capable of easily supplying power to a radiation detection device and acquiring a high-quality radiation image.
A radiographic imaging system includes an imaging device for irradiating a subject with radiation, an electronic cassette as a radiation detection device for detecting radiation transmitted through the subject, and a wireless power receiving unit of the electronic cassette. A power supply device 25 that supplies power wirelessly, and further, a transmission state determination unit 107 that determines whether or not radiographic image information is being transmitted, and an imaging that is performed when the transmission state determination unit 107 determines that transmission is in progress A signal generation unit 109 that generates an imaging prohibition signal for prohibiting radiation imaging by the apparatus 22 is provided.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiation detector that includes a radiation detector that detects radiation that has passed through a subject and a wireless power receiving unit, a radiographic imaging system that includes a wireless power supply device that wirelessly supplies power to the radiation detection device, and a radiation image. It relates to the shooting method.

  2. Description of the Related Art In the medical field, radiation image capturing apparatuses that irradiate a subject with radiation and guide the radiation transmitted through the subject to a radiation conversion panel to capture a radiation image are widely used. As the radiation conversion panel, a conventional radiation film in which a radiation image is exposed and recorded, or radiation energy as a radiation image is accumulated in a phosphor, and the radiation image is irradiated as excitation light by irradiating excitation light. A storage phosphor panel that can be removed is known. These radiation conversion panels supply a radiation film on which a radiographic image is recorded to a developing device to perform development processing, or supply a stimulable phosphor panel to a reading device to perform reading processing so that a visible image can be obtained. A radiographic image can be obtained.

  On the other hand, in an operating room or the like, it is necessary to immediately read out and display a radiation image from a radiation conversion panel after imaging in order to perform a quick and accurate treatment on a patient. Similarly, rapid imaging is also required for imaging of infants, children, elderly people, and patients who cannot stand for a long time due to illness or injury. Radiation detection using a solid-state detector that converts radiation directly into electrical signals, or converts radiation into visible light with a scintillator and then converts it into electrical signals and reads it as a radiation conversion panel that can meet such demands A vessel has been developed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes a radiation detection apparatus (electronic cassette) having a function of transmitting radiation image information obtained by a radiation detector to an image processing unit or the like by a wireless transmission system. The electronic cassette has a built-in battery, and when charging the battery, the electronic cassette is mounted on a separately provided cradle and charged wirelessly by a non-contact charging device built in the cradle. Can do.

JP 2008-170315 A

  By the way, in the above-described conventional technology, for example, when the battery level is insufficient due to continuous imaging due to patient concentration or intermittent imaging during surgery, or even when charging at the end of battery life, the battery level is insufficient immediately. In such a case, it is necessary to charge by moving the electronic cassette laid on the patient to the cradle. For this reason, it takes a lot of time for charging, and there is a possibility of causing a longer operation time and an increased burden on the patient.

  Furthermore, when radiographic image capture is performed while radiographic image information is being transmitted wirelessly from the radiation detection device, noise caused by radiographic imaging has an effect on the radiographic image information (transmission signal) being transmitted. Cause a decrease in the wireless communication rate. This may cause image quality degradation during transmission of high-quality (high-quality) radiation image information acquired by the radiation detection apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described conventional problems, and can easily supply power to the radiation detection apparatus and maintain high quality (high image quality) of the acquired radiation image. An object of the present invention is to provide a radiation detection apparatus, a radiation image capturing system, and a radiation image capturing method.

  A radiation detection apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a radiation detector that detects radiation transmitted through a subject and converts the radiation into radiation image information, a communication unit that performs at least wireless transmission processing of the radiation image information, and the radiation A power supply unit that supplies power to the detector, a wireless power reception unit that receives power supplied wirelessly from an external wireless power supply device, and that supplies power to the power supply unit; and whether the radiation image information is being transmitted A transmission state determination unit for determining whether or not transmission is being performed by the transmission state determination unit, and an imaging prohibition signal generation unit that generates an imaging prohibition signal for prohibiting imaging by the radiation And

  According to such a configuration, a radiation detection apparatus having a radiation detector that detects radiation and converts it into radiation image information, for example, the radiation detection is performed by the wireless power feeding apparatus while the electronic cassette is placed at a predetermined imaging position. Power can be supplied to the apparatus, and power supply work can be further facilitated. In addition, a transmission state determination unit that determines whether or not the radiation image information is being transmitted, and a radiography prohibition signal for prohibiting imaging by the radiation when the transmission state determination unit determines that the transmission is in progress By including the radiography prohibition signal generating unit that performs radiographic imaging, radiographic imaging can be reliably prohibited from being performed during transmission of radiographic image information. For this reason, it is possible to prevent noise caused by radiation imaging from affecting the radiation image information (transmission signal) being transmitted, and high-quality (high image quality) radiation image information acquired by the radiation detection apparatus. Quality can be maintained.

  Furthermore, when the transmission state determination unit determines that the radiation image information is not being transmitted (not transmitted), the image capturing permission signal generation unit generates an imaging permission signal for permitting the imaging. For example, when transmission ends during shooting prohibition control, shooting can be started quickly.

  In particular, in the first aspect of the present invention, the transmission determined by the transmission state determination unit includes a period from a communication start time to a communication end time, and the communication start time is determined from the communication unit to the communication link. When a signal for requesting establishment of the communication link is output, when a signal indicating that the communication link is established is input to the communication unit, transmission of the radiation image information after the communication link is established Any of the time points, the communication end point is the time when the signal for requesting the release of the communication link is output from the communication unit, the communication link has been released to the communication unit When the signal indicating is input, or at any one of the radiographic image transmission end time, the influence of noise on the radiographic image information (transmission signal) being transmitted can be more reliably avoided. It can be.

  Next, a radiographic imaging system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a radiation irradiation apparatus that irradiates a subject with radiation, a radiation detector that detects radiation transmitted through the subject, and converts the radiation into radiation image information, and the radiation detection A radiation detecting device having a power supply unit that supplies power to the device, a communication unit that performs at least wireless transmission processing of the radiation image information, and a wireless power receiving device that is provided in the radiation detection device and supplies power to the power supply unit A radiographic imaging system comprising: a wireless power supply apparatus that wirelessly supplies power to a unit; and the radiation irradiation apparatus, the radiation detection apparatus, and a control device that controls driving of the wireless power supply apparatus. Furthermore, when it is determined by the transmission state determination unit that determines whether or not the radiation image information is being transmitted and the transmission state determination unit is transmitting, the radiation An imaging prohibition signal generating unit for generating an imaging prohibition signal for prohibiting imaging by the radiographing unit, and an imaging prohibition control unit for controlling the radiation irradiation apparatus so as to prohibit the imaging when the imaging prohibition signal is received. It is characterized by.

  According to such a configuration, the radiation detection apparatus, for example, the electronic cassette can be supplied to the radiation detection apparatus by the wireless power supply apparatus while the electronic cassette is disposed at a predetermined imaging position, and the power supply operation can be further facilitated. can do. In addition, it is possible to reliably prohibit radiography from being performed during transmission of radiographic image information. For this reason, it is possible to prevent noise caused by radiation imaging from affecting the radiation image information (transmission signal) being transmitted, and high-quality (high image quality) radiation image information acquired by the radiation detection apparatus. Quality can be maintained.

  Furthermore, when the transmission state determination unit determines that the radiation image information is not being transmitted, the imaging permission signal generation unit that generates the imaging permission signal for permitting the imaging is received, and the imaging permission signal is received. Then, if the radiation irradiating device is provided with an imaging start control unit that controls the imaging start or imaging start standby state, for example, when transmission ends during imaging prohibition control, imaging starts quickly. Can do.

  Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, the transmission determined by the transmission state determination unit includes a period from a communication start time to a communication end time, and the communication start time is determined by the radiation detection apparatus. An answer indicating when the establishment request signal for requesting establishment of the communication link is output from the communication unit, when the establishment request signal is input to the control device, and when the communication link is established from the control device When the signal is output, when the answer signal indicating that the communication link is established is input to the communication unit of the radiation detection apparatus, and when the communication link is established, transmission of the radiation image information is started. One of the time points is the time point, and the communication end time point is a release request signal for requesting release of the communication link from the communication unit of the radiation detection apparatus. When the release request signal is input to the control device, when an answer signal indicating that the communication link has been released is output from the control device, and to the communication unit of the radiation detection device, At any point of time when the answer signal indicating that the communication link is released or when the transmission of the radiographic image ends, noise of the radiographic image information (transmission signal) being transmitted The influence can be avoided more reliably.

  The second aspect of the present invention may further include an image processing unit that receives and processes the radiation image information transmitted from the communication unit of the radiation detection apparatus.

  In this case, it further includes a display device that receives and displays the radiographic image information image-processed by the image processing unit, and the radiographic image information is transmitted from the image processing unit to the display device via wireless communication. It may be transmitted. In this case as well, radiation imaging by the imaging apparatus can be reliably prohibited during transmission of radiation image information from the image processing unit to the display device. For this reason, it is possible to prevent noise caused by radiography from affecting the radiographic image information (transmission signal) being transmitted, and a high-quality (high-quality) radiographic image acquired by the radiation detection apparatus. The quality of information can be maintained.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, when the transmission state determination unit and the imaging prohibition signal generation unit are provided in at least one of the radiation detection device, the imaging device, and the control device, radiation image information is obtained. Shooting prohibition control during transmission can be performed more easily. Similarly, when the imaging prohibition control unit is provided in at least one of the radiation detection apparatus, the imaging apparatus, and the control apparatus, the power supply prohibition control during transmission can be more easily performed.

  Next, a radiographic image capturing method according to a third aspect of the present invention irradiates a subject with radiation, detects the radiation with a radiation detector mounted on a radiation detection device, converts the radiation into radiation image information, and then performs the radiation image processing. A radiographic imaging method for transmitting information, wherein power is supplied to a power supply unit of the radiation detection apparatus wirelessly, and radiographic imaging is prohibited during transmission of the radiographic image information.

  According to such a method, it is possible to reliably prevent radiation imaging while the radiation image information is being transmitted, so that noise caused by the radiation imaging is caused by the radiation image information being transmitted. (Transmission signal) can be prevented from being affected, and the quality of high quality (high image quality) radiation image information acquired by the radiation detection apparatus can be maintained.

  Further, when the imaging is started after the transmission of the radiation image information is completed in a state where the imaging is prohibited during the transmission of the radiation image information, the imaging can be resumed quickly. The term “after the transmission is completed” includes, for example, an arbitrary timing in consideration of the remaining amount of the power supply unit of the electronic cassette that is the radiation detection apparatus immediately after the transmission is completed or after the transmission is completed.

  According to the present invention, since the radiation detection apparatus having the radiation detector can be supplied to the radiation detection apparatus by the wireless power supply apparatus in a state where the radiation detection apparatus is disposed at the predetermined imaging position, the power supply operation is further facilitated. can do. Further, a transmission state determination unit that determines whether or not the radiation image information is being transmitted, and an imaging prohibition signal for prohibiting imaging by radiation when the transmission state determination unit determines that transmission is in progress By including the imaging prohibition signal generating unit that performs the radiographic imaging by the imaging apparatus, it is possible to reliably prohibit the radiographic imaging from being performed during transmission of the radiation image information. For this reason, it is possible to prevent noise caused by radiation imaging from affecting the radiation image information (transmission signal) being transmitted, and high-quality (high image quality) radiation image information acquired by the radiation detection apparatus. Quality can be maintained.

It is explanatory drawing of the operating room where the radiographic imaging system of this embodiment was installed. It is a partially cutaway perspective explanatory view of the electronic cassette shown in FIG. It is a circuit block diagram of the radiation detector of FIG. It is block explanatory drawing of the radiographic imaging system shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block explanatory diagram of an imaging system that more specifically shows the configuration of the electronic cassette shown in FIG. 4. It is a figure which shows the example of a sequence of communication between an electronic cassette and a console. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the imaging | photography procedure of the radiographic imaging system shown in FIG. It is block explanatory drawing of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on the 1st modification of the radiographic imaging system shown in FIG. It is block explanatory drawing of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on the 2nd modification of the radiographic imaging system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a sequence of communication between a console and a display apparatus. It is another block diagram of an electronic cassette. It is a block diagram of the cradle which charges an electronic cassette. It is explanatory drawing of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on the 3rd modification of the radiographic imaging system shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on the 4th modification of the radiographic imaging system shown in FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a radiographic imaging system and a radiographic imaging method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by giving preferred embodiments in relation to a radiation detection apparatus used in the system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in an operating room 12 where a radiographic image capturing system 10 (hereinafter also referred to as “imaging system 10”) according to the present embodiment is installed, an operating table 16 that is a bed on which a patient 14 lies lying; An instrument table 20 on which various instruments used by the doctor 18 for surgery are placed. Around the operating table 16, various devices necessary for the operation such as an anesthesia machine, an aspirator, an electrocardiograph, and a blood pressure monitor (not shown) are arranged.

  The imaging system 10 includes an imaging device (radiation irradiation device) 22 that irradiates a patient 14 as a subject with a dose of radiation X according to imaging conditions, and a radiation detector 40 that detects the radiation X transmitted through the patient 14 (FIG. 2). An electronic cassette 24 that is a radiation detection device with a built-in reference), and a power feeding device (wireless power feeding device) 25 that wirelessly (contactlessly) supplies power to a battery 44 (see FIG. 2) built in the electronic cassette 24. And a display device 26 that displays a radiation image based on the radiation X detected by the radiation detector 40 and a console (control device) 28 that comprehensively controls the imaging system 10. In the imaging system 10, signals can be transmitted and received between the imaging device 22, the electronic cassette 24, the power feeding device 25, the display device 26, and the console 28 by wireless communication using, for example, UWB (Ultra Wide Band).

  The imaging device 22 is connected to a free arm 30 extending from the ceiling, can be moved to a desired position according to the imaging region of the patient 14, and can be retracted to a position that does not obstruct the operation by the doctor 18. Similarly, the power feeding device 25 is connected to the universal arm 31 and can be moved to a desired position according to the arrangement of the electronic cassette 24. The display device 26 is connected to the free arm 32 and can be moved to a position where the doctor 18 can easily confirm the displayed radiation image. The free arms 30 to 32 may be provided on a wall, a floor, a movable wagon, or the like, and the power feeding device 25 or the display device 26 may be fixed to a ceiling, a wall, a floor, or the like without using a free arm. Good. Note that the power supply device 25 is arranged so that the magnetic field M applied to the radiation detection device (such as the electronic cassette 24) avoids the patient 14, for example, in the horizontal direction of the radiation detection device (see FIGS. 1 and 13) or below the bottom surface. (See FIG. 14).

  FIG. 2 is a partially cut perspective explanatory view of the electronic cassette 24 of FIG. The electronic cassette 24 includes a box-shaped casing 34 made of a material that transmits the radiation X. Inside the casing 34, a grid 38 for removing scattered radiation of the radiation X by the patient 14, and a radiation detector 40 for detecting the radiation X transmitted through the patient 14, in order from the irradiation surface 36 side where the radiation X is irradiated. The lead plate 42 that absorbs the back scattered radiation of the radiation X is disposed in layers. The irradiation surface 36 of the casing 34 can also be configured as a grid 38.

  The electronic cassette 24 includes a battery 44 that functions as a power supply unit, a cassette control unit 46 that performs drive control of the radiation detector 40 using power from the battery 44, and information on the radiation X detected by the radiation detector 40. A transceiver 48 that wirelessly transmits and receives a signal including (radiation image information) to and from the console 28 is provided. The battery 44, the cassette control unit 46, and the transmitter / receiver 48 are preferably provided with a lead plate or the like on the irradiation surface 36 side in order to avoid damage caused by irradiation with the radiation X. Further, the electronic cassette 24 includes a wireless power receiving unit 49 that receives a magnetic field (magnetic field, magnetic flux) M that is converted from electrical energy by the power supply device 25 and applied wirelessly, and reconverts the magnetic field M into electrical energy. Provided.

  FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration block diagram of the radiation detector 40. The radiation detector 40 has a photoelectric conversion layer 51 made of a material such as amorphous selenium (a-Se) that senses the radiation X and generates charges on an array of thin film transistor (TFT) 52. After the generated charge is stored in the storage capacitor (storage unit) 53, the TFT 52 is sequentially turned on for each row, and the charge is read as an image signal. In FIG. 3, only the connection relationship between one pixel 50 including the photoelectric conversion layer 51 and the storage capacitor 53 and one TFT 52 is shown, and the configuration of the other pixels 50 is omitted. Amorphous selenium must be used within a predetermined temperature range because its structure changes and its function decreases at high temperatures. Therefore, it is preferable to provide means for cooling the radiation detector 40 in the electronic cassette 24.

  A gate line 54 extending parallel to the row direction and a signal line 56 extending parallel to the column direction are connected to the TFT 52 connected to each pixel 50. Each gate line 54 is connected to a line scanning drive unit 58, and each signal line 56 is connected to a multiplexer 66 constituting a reading circuit.

  Control signals Von and Voff for controlling on / off of the TFTs 52 arranged in the row direction are supplied from the line scanning drive unit 58 to the gate line 54. In this case, the line scan driving unit 58 includes a plurality of switches SW1 that switches the gate lines 54, and an address decoder 60 that outputs a selection signal for selecting one of the switches SW1. An address signal is supplied from the cassette control unit 46 to the address decoder 60.

  In addition, the charge held in the storage capacitor 53 of each pixel 50 flows out to the signal line 56 through the TFTs 52 arranged in the column direction. This charge is amplified by the amplifier 62. A multiplexer 66 is connected to the amplifier 62 via a sample and hold circuit 64. The multiplexer 66 includes a plurality of switches SW2 for switching the signal line 56, and an address decoder 68 for outputting a selection signal for selecting one of the switches SW2. An address signal is supplied from the cassette control unit 46 to the address decoder 68. An A / D converter (A / D converter) 70 is connected to the multiplexer 66, and radiation image information converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 70 is supplied to the cassette controller 46.

  Further, the TFT 52 functioning as a switching element may be realized in combination with another imaging element such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. Furthermore, it can be replaced with a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) image sensor that transfers charges while shifting them with a shift pulse corresponding to a gate signal referred to as a TFT.

  FIG. 4 is a block explanatory diagram of the photographing system 10 including the photographing device 22, the electronic cassette 24, the power feeding device 25, the display device 26, and the console 28.

  The console 28 is connected to a radiology information system (RIS) 29 for comprehensively managing radiographic image information and other information handled in the radiology department in the hospital. The RIS 29 is used for comprehensive management of medical information in the hospital. A medical information system (HIS) 33 to be managed is connected.

  The imaging device 22 includes an imaging switch 72, a radiation source 74, a transceiver 76, and a radiation source controller 78. The transceiver 76 receives imaging conditions from the console 28 by wireless communication, and transmits an imaging completion signal and the like to the console 28. The radiation source control unit 78 drives and controls the radiation source 74 based on the imaging start signal supplied from the imaging switch 72 and the imaging conditions supplied from the console 28. The radiation source 74 outputs the radiation X based on the control from the radiation source control unit 78.

  The power supply apparatus 25 receives a power supply start signal and the like from the console 28 by wireless communication with a power supply 80 connected to an external power supply or the like (not shown), while the console 28 receives ID information (identification data) of the power supply apparatus 25 and the like. A power transmission start signal supplied from the console 28, an LC resonator (power transmission unit) 84 that converts electric energy from the power source 80 into a magnetic field M and wirelessly transmits the electric energy to the electronic cassette 24, and a power supply start signal supplied from the console 28. And a power supply control unit 86 that drives and controls the LC resonator 84.

  FIG. 5 is a block explanatory diagram of the imaging system 10 more specifically showing the configuration of the electronic cassette 24 as the radiation detection apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the electronic cassette 24 includes a radiation detector 40, a battery 44, a wireless power receiving unit 49, a cassette control unit 46, and a transceiver 48.

  The battery 44 is configured by a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, and is a power source that supplies power to each part of the electronic cassette 24 such as the radiation detector 40, the cassette control unit 46, and the transceiver 48. In addition to the secondary battery, for example, a storage element such as an electric double layer capacitor can be used as the battery 44. In short, the battery 44 can be charged and functions appropriately as a power source for the electronic cassette 24. That's fine.

  The wireless power receiving unit 49 has a function of receiving power supplied wirelessly from the power supply device 25 and charging the battery 44. The wireless power receiving unit 49 receives a magnetic field M applied from the LC resonator 84 of the power feeding device 25 and reconverts it into electric energy, and the electric energy reconverted by the LC resonator 88 in a desired manner. And a charging circuit 90 that converts the electric power to supply to the battery 44. The charging circuit 90 rectifies the current generated by the LC resonator 88 and charges the battery 44 with a predetermined constant current, for example.

  Further, the wireless power receiving unit 49 is arranged in parallel with the LC resonator 88 and detects the detection LC resonator 94 smaller than the LC resonator 88 and the electric energy reconverted by the detection LC resonator 94. An energy detection unit 96 is provided. The energy detection unit 96 detects the electric energy to detect that the electronic cassette 24 is within the power supplyable area of the power supply device 25, and transmits a power supply area detection signal to the cassette control unit 46.

  As described above, for the electronic cassette 24 from the power supply device 25, a known power that uses the resonance of the magnetic field M from the LC resonator 84 configured by an LC resonance circuit having a coil and a capacitor to the LC resonator 88. Wireless transmission (charging) can be performed using a transmission technique.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cassette control unit 46 includes an address signal generation unit 98, an image memory 100, an operation management unit 102, a cassette ID memory 104, and a data management unit 106. The address signal generator 98 supplies an address signal to the address decoder 60 of the line scan driver 58 and the address decoder 68 of the multiplexer 66 that constitute the radiation detector 40. The image memory 100 stores radiation image information detected by the radiation detector 40.

  The operation management unit 102 controls driving of the wireless power receiving unit 49 and the battery 44, and also controls driving of the entire electronic cassette 24.

  The transceiver 48 also establishes a communication link for performing data communication with the console 28, releases the communication link, and transmits and receives data. That is, the transmitter / receiver 48 establishes a communication link before performing data communication with the console 28 at the time when a communication request signal is input from the operation management unit 102, and when data communication with the console 28 is completed, Release.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the establishment of the communication link outputs an establishment request signal for establishing the communication link to the console 28 and waits for an answer signal (1) from the console 28. A communication link is established when the answer signal (1) is received. After that, actual radiation image information is transmitted, and the communication link is released when the transmission of the radiation image information is completed. To release the communication link, a release request signal for releasing the communication link is output to the console 28, and an answer signal (2) from the console 28 is waited for. When the answer signal (2) is received, the communication link is released.

  Furthermore, the operation management unit 102 includes a transmission state determination unit 107 that determines whether or not radiation image information is being transmitted from the electronic cassette to the console by the transceiver 48 (that is, whether transmission is in progress); A signal generation unit 109 (imaging prohibition signal generation unit) that generates an imaging prohibition signal for prohibiting radiographic imaging of a patient by the imaging apparatus 22 when the transmission state determination unit 107 determines that transmission is in progress is provided. Further, the signal generation unit 109 generates an imaging permission signal for permitting the radiographing of the patient by the imaging device 22 when the transmission state determination unit 107 determines that transmission is not being performed (that is, non-transmission). It also has a function as a photographing permission signal generator for generating a photographing permission signal to be performed. As described above, the signal generation unit 109 that generates the imaging prohibition signal and the imaging permission signal in response to the determination result of the transmission state determination unit 107 can be configured as a plurality of signal generation units so as to correspond to each signal.

  During transmission determined by the transmission state determination unit, a period from the communication start time to the communication end time is included. That is, the period from the communication start time to the communication end time is determined by the transmission state determination unit 107 as transmitting the radiographic image information.

  The communication start time indicates that the establishment request signal for requesting establishment of the communication link is output from the transceiver 48 of the electronic cassette 24, and that the communication link has been established in the transceiver 48 of the electronic cassette 24. It is one of the time point when the answer signal (1) is input and the time point when the transmission of the radiation image information after the communication link is established. Which time point is set as the communication start time point can be appropriately selected according to the specifications of the electronic cassette 24 and the imaging system 10, the maximum voltage applied to the radiation source 74 of the imaging device 22, and the like.

  The end of communication is the end of transmission of radiation image information, the time when a release request signal for requesting the release of the communication link is output from the transmitter / receiver 48 of the electronic cassette 24, and the communication link to the transmitter / receiver 48 of the electronic cassette 24. It is at any point in time when the answer signal (2) indicating that it has been released is input. As in the above description, it is possible to appropriately select which time is set as the communication end time according to the specifications of the electronic cassette 24 and the imaging system 10, the maximum voltage applied to the radiation source 74 of the imaging device 22, and the like.

  The radiography prohibition signal and radiographing permission signal generated by the signal generator 109 are transmitted to the console 28, and the console 28 performs radiation irradiation prohibition (stop) control and start (resume) control from the imaging apparatus 22. . It should be noted that an imaging prohibition signal or an imaging permission signal is directly transmitted from the electronic cassette 24 to the imaging apparatus 22 without going through the console 28, and for example, the imaging prohibition control and the imaging start control are performed by the radiation source control unit 78. It may be configured.

  The cassette ID memory 104 stores cassette ID information for specifying the electronic cassette 24. The data management unit 106 manages ID information (identification data) for specifying the power supply device 25 corresponding to the power supply of the electronic cassette 24, a power supply area detection signal from the energy detection unit 96, and the like.

  The transceiver 48 of the electronic cassette 24 receives the transmission request signal and the ID information of the power feeding device 25 from the console 28 by wireless communication, while the radio image information, the cassette ID information, the wireless power feedable signal, and the imaging for the console 28. A prohibition signal and a photographing permission signal are transmitted.

  The display device 26 receives a radiographic image information from the console 28 and outputs various signals for data communication, a display control unit 112 that processes the received radiographic image information, and a display control unit. And a display unit 114 that displays the radiation image information processed in 112.

  The console 28 includes a transceiver 116, an imaging condition management unit 118, an image processing unit 120, an image memory 122, a patient information management unit 124, a cassette information management unit 126, and a power supply information management unit 128. Note that the console 28 may be installed outside the operating room 12 as long as signals can be reliably transmitted to and received from the imaging device 22, the electronic cassette 24, the power supply device 25, and the display device 26.

  The transmitter / receiver 116 wirelessly communicates necessary information including radiographic image information, an imaging prohibition signal, and an imaging permission signal between the console 28 and the imaging apparatus 22, the electronic cassette 24, the power supply apparatus 25, and the display apparatus 26. Send and receive.

  The photographing condition management unit 118 manages photographing conditions necessary for photographing by the photographing device 22. The image processing unit 120 performs predetermined image processing on the radiation image information received from the electronic cassette 24. The image memory 122 stores the radiation image information processed by the image processing unit 120. The patient information management unit 124 manages patient information of the patient 14 to be imaged. The cassette information management unit 126 manages the cassette information including the wireless power feed enable signal and the cassette ID information received from the electronic cassette 24. The power supply information management unit 128 controls the operation of the power supply device 25, manages the ID information transmitted from the power supply device 25, and the like, and further performs shooting based on the shooting prohibition signal and the shooting permission signal received from the signal generation unit 109. Power supply prohibition control and power supply start control (power supply restart control) of the device 22 are performed.

  The imaging conditions are conditions for determining a tube voltage, a tube current, an irradiation time, and the like for irradiating a radiation X having an appropriate dose to an imaging region of the patient 14. The conditions such as the site and the imaging method can be listed. The patient information is information for identifying the patient 14 such as the name, sex, and patient ID number of the patient 14. The imaging ordering information including these imaging conditions and patient information can be set directly on the console 28 or supplied to the console 28 from the outside via the RIS 29. Further, the cassette information includes a wireless power feedable signal from the data management unit 106 in addition to the cassette ID information for specifying the electronic cassette 24.

  The imaging system 10 according to the present embodiment is basically configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The imaging system 10 is installed in the operating room 12, and is used when, for example, it is necessary to capture a radiographic image during surgery. Therefore, the patient information of the patient 14 to be imaged is registered in advance in the patient information management unit 124 of the console 28 prior to imaging. If the imaging region and the imaging method are determined in advance, these imaging conditions are registered in the imaging condition management unit 118 in advance. The operation on the patient 14 is performed in the state where the above preparation work is completed.

  First, in step S1 of FIG. 7, when the doctor 18 or a radiographer in charge takes a radiographic image during surgery, the patient 14 and the operating table are placed with the irradiation surface 36 facing the imaging device 22 side. The electronic cassette 24 is installed at a desired position between the two.

  Here, in conjunction with the start of operation of the console 28 or by operation of an operation start switch (not shown), the power feeding device 25 is driven under a predetermined operation condition (low output operation). Therefore, the electronic cassette 24 can detect that the electronic cassette 24 is disposed in the power supplyable area of the power supply device 25 by the detection LC resonator 94 and the energy detection unit 96 of the wireless power receiving unit 49. That is, the energy detection unit 96 functions as a power reception availability detection unit that detects whether or not the electronic cassette 24 is in an area where power can be received from the power supply device 25. At this time, the power supply control unit 86 of the power supply device 25 applies a weak magnetic field M that allows the detection LC resonator 94 and the energy detection unit 96 of the electronic cassette 24 to detect the presence or absence of the magnetic field M from the LC resonator 84. Low power operation is performed to effectively reduce power consumption.

  On the other hand, in the electronic cassette 24, a power feeding area detection signal is supplied from the energy detection unit 96 to the data management unit 106. Upon receiving the power supply area detection signal, the data management unit 106 receives the ID information of the power supply device 25 stored in the power supply information management unit 128 from the console 28, while transmitting the wireless power supply enable signal to the cassette information management unit 126 of the console 28. And send.

  Further, the power supply area detection signal is also transmitted from the energy detection unit 96 to the operation management unit 102. Upon receiving the power feeding area detection signal, the operation management unit 102 turns on the electronic cassette 24 so that the electronic cassette 24 can be used, thereby completing the preparation for photographing. Of course, a power switch (not shown) operated by the doctor 18 or the like can be provided on the side surface of the electronic cassette 24 or the like.

  In the photographing system 10, after the preparation for photographing as described above is completed, it is determined that the battery 44 needs to be charged under the remaining amount management of the battery 44 by the cassette control unit 46 or the cassette information management unit 126 (step S <b> 2). If this is the case (NO in step S2), a power supply start signal is transmitted from the cassette information management unit 126 of the console 28 to the power supply control unit 86 of the power supply device 25. Thereby, in the imaging system 10, it is possible to perform power supply (charging) to the electronic cassette 24 at a desired power amount and timing by the power supply device 25 (step S3). In addition, when the remaining amount of the battery 44 is insufficient during the operation, the electronic cassette 24 can be appropriately charged while being placed in a predetermined photographing position. Of course, if the remaining amount of the battery 44 is insufficient even during preparation for imaging (during installation of the electronic cassette 24) or before the start of imaging, wireless charging immediately before the start of surgery or after the start of surgery. Can complete the preparation for shooting quickly.

  At the time of wireless power feeding to the electronic cassette 24, predetermined operating conditions (high power operation, power feeding) in which the magnetic field M applied from the LC resonator 84 to the electronic cassette 24 is changed to a magnetic field sufficiently stronger than the low power operation. The power feeding device 25 may be driven and controlled in the operation). Further, in the electronic cassette 24, the power received by the LC resonator 94 for detection together with the LC resonator 88 can be used for charging the battery 44 from the charging circuit 90, so that the battery 44 can be charged more rapidly. .

  In the imaging system 10, the ID information of the corresponding power supply device 25 can be confirmed between the electronic cassette 24 and the power supply device 25 via the console 28 as described above. For this reason, for example, even when a plurality of power supply apparatuses are installed, it is possible to appropriately and selectively perform a power supply operation from the corresponding desired power supply apparatus to the electronic cassette 24, and wasteful power consumption, malfunction, etc. It can be avoided.

  It is determined that the battery 44 has a sufficient remaining amount (YES in step S2). Subsequently, when taking a radiographic image in step S4, the doctor 18 or the radiographer uses the electronic cassette 22 to capture the radiographic image. After moving to a position facing 24, the radiographing image is captured by operating the imaging switch 72.

  In this case, based on the operation of the imaging switch 72 by the doctor 18 or the like, the radiation source control unit 78 of the imaging apparatus 22 transmits a signal requesting transmission of imaging conditions to the console 28. Based on the received request, the console 28 transmits imaging conditions related to the imaging region of the patient 14 registered in the imaging condition management unit 118 to the imaging apparatus 22. Upon receiving the imaging conditions, the radiation source control unit 78 controls the radiation source 74 based on the imaging conditions, and irradiates (exposes) the patient 14 with radiation X having a predetermined dose. Of course, the imaging conditions may be transmitted in advance from the console 28 to a memory (not shown) of the radiation source controller 78.

  The radiation X transmitted through the patient 14 is irradiated with the radiation detector 40 after the scattered radiation is removed by the grid 38 of the electronic cassette 24, and an electric signal is transmitted by the photoelectric conversion layer 51 of each pixel 50 constituting the radiation detector 40. Then, the charge is held as a charge in the storage capacitor 53 (see FIG. 3). Next, the charge information (signal charge) that is the radiographic image information of the patient 14 held in each storage capacitor 53 is supplied from the address signal generation unit 98 that constitutes the cassette control unit 46 to the line scanning drive unit 58 and the multiplexer 66. Read according to the address signal.

  That is, the address decoder 60 of the line scan driver 58 outputs a selection signal according to the address signal supplied from the address signal generator 98, selects one of the switches SW1, and the TFT 52 connected to the corresponding gate line 54. A control signal Von is supplied to the gates of the first and second gates. On the other hand, the address decoder 68 of the multiplexer 66 outputs a selection signal in accordance with the address signal supplied from the address signal generation unit 98, sequentially switches the switch SW2, and is connected to the gate line 54 selected by the line scan driving unit 58. Radiation image information, which is charge information held in the storage capacitor 53 of each pixel 50, is sequentially read out via the signal line 56.

  The radiation image information read from the storage capacitor 53 of each pixel 50 connected to the selected gate line 54 of the radiation detector 40 is amplified by each amplifier 62 and then sampled by each sample and hold circuit 64. The signal is supplied to the A / D converter 70 via the multiplexer 66 and converted into a digital signal. The radiographic image information converted into the digital signal is temporarily stored in the image memory 100 of the cassette control unit 46.

  Similarly, the address decoder 60 of the line scan driving unit 58 sequentially switches the switch SW1 in accordance with the address signal supplied from the address signal generating unit 98, and the storage capacitor 53 of each pixel 50 connected to each gate line 54. The stored radiation image information, which is charge information, is read through the signal line 56 and stored in the image memory 100 of the cassette control unit 46 through the multiplexer 66 and the A / D converter 70.

  The radiation image information stored in the image memory 100 is transmitted to the console 28 by wireless communication. The radiation image information transmitted to the console 28 is subjected to predetermined image processing in the image processing unit 120 and then associated with the patient information of the patient 14 registered in the patient information management unit 124. Is remembered.

  The radiographic image information subjected to the image processing is transmitted from the console 28 to the display device 26. The display device 26 that has received the radiation image information performs image display processing while displaying the radiation image while controlling the display unit 114 by the display control unit 112. For this reason, the doctor 18 can perform the operation while confirming the radiation image displayed on the display unit 114.

  By the way, for example, even when radiographic imaging is performed a plurality of times during surgery and the remaining amount of the battery 44 of the electronic cassette 24 is insufficient, the imaging system 10 can supply power to the electronic cassette 24 wirelessly. Since the device 25 is provided, the electronic cassette 24 can be appropriately charged while being installed at a predetermined photographing position.

  However, when radiation imaging is performed during transmission of radiation image information, noise caused by radiation imaging affects the radiation image information (transmission signal) being transmitted, causing a reduction in wireless communication rate and the like. This is because there is a possibility that the image quality of the high-quality (high-quality) radiographic image information acquired by the electronic cassette 24 is deteriorated during transmission.

  Therefore, the imaging system 10 according to the present embodiment includes the transmission state determination unit 107 and the signal generation unit 109 described above, and performs imaging for controlling radiography with the imaging apparatus while considering whether or not radiographic image information is being transmitted. Prohibition control and shooting start control are performed.

  That is, in the radiographing system 10, when radiographing is performed, the radiographing switch 72 is operated by the doctor 18 or the like, or when the radiographic source controller 78 of the radiographing device 22 requests transmission of radiographing conditions to the console 28. When the substantial preparation for photographing is started, the console 28 transmits the photographing start signal to the electronic cassette 24 simultaneously with the control of the photographing device 22 or prior to the control of the photographing device 22 to control the cassette. The unit 46 is driven and controlled so that the electronic cassette 24 is ready for photographing (steps S1 and S2).

  Here, in the electronic cassette 24, imaging is started in step S4 described above, and when the imaging start signal is received from the console 28, the radiation detector 40 and the like are driven. Specifically, the radiation X transmitted through the patient 14 is irradiated to the radiation detector 40, converted into an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion layer 51 of each pixel 50, and then stored as a charge (signal charge) in the storage capacitor 53. Further, the radiation image information read out from the storage capacitor 53 of each pixel 50 is amplified by each amplifier 62, sampled by each sample hold circuit 64, and sent to the A / D converter 70 via the multiplexer 66. Supplied and converted into a digital signal. The radiographic image information converted into the digital signal is temporarily stored in the image memory 100 of the cassette control unit 46. The radiation image information stored in the image memory 100 is transmitted to the console 28 by wireless communication (step S5). That is, the transceiver 48 establishes a communication link before performing data communication with the console 28, and releases the communication link when data communication with the console 28 (transmission of radiation image information) is completed.

  Then, the transmission state determination unit 107 of the electronic cassette 24 determines whether or not the radiation image information is being transmitted (step S6). As described above, this determination is made based on whether or not it is within the period from the communication start time to the communication end time.

  If it is determined that transmission is in progress (YES in step S6), the signal generation unit 109 transmits the determination result indicating that transmission is in progress to the signal generation unit 109 from the transmission state determination unit 107. A radiography prohibition signal for prohibiting radiographic radiography is generated (step S7). Next, the photographing prohibition signal is transmitted from the electronic cassette 24 to the console 28. When the console 28 receives the imaging prohibition signal, for example, under the management of the imaging condition management unit 118, the console 28 performs control to prohibit the radiographic imaging by the imaging apparatus 22 (step S8). The imaging prohibition signal is directly transmitted from the electronic cassette 24 to the imaging apparatus 22 without passing through the console 28, and the imaging prohibition control is executed by the radiation source control unit 78 of the imaging apparatus 22. Also good.

  Therefore, it is avoided that the radiographing by the imaging device 22 is performed during transmission of the radiographic image information, and noise caused by radiographic imaging is prevented from affecting the radiographic image information (transmission signal) being transmitted. be able to.

  Such imaging prohibition control of the imaging apparatus 22 is continued over a period from the communication start time to the communication end time, and thus radiography is not reliably performed during the period in which the radiographic image information is transmitted.

  On the other hand, in step S6 looped during the imaging prohibition control in step S8, when the communication end time has passed and the transmission state determination unit 107 determines that the radiographic image information is not being transmitted (not being transmitted), A determination result indicating the end of transmission (not transmitting) is transmitted from the transmission state determination unit 107 to the signal generation unit 109. As a result, the signal generator 109 generates an imaging permission signal for permitting start (resumption) of radiation imaging by the imaging device 22 (step S9).

  The imaging permission signal is transmitted from the electronic cassette 24 to the console 28. For example, under the management of the imaging condition management unit 118, control for starting radiation imaging by the imaging device 22 or imaging so that the radiation imaging device can be started immediately. Control is performed to put the device 22 in a shooting start standby state (shooting restart standby state) (step S11). Thereby, it is possible to appropriately perform radiation imaging with the imaging device 22 while avoiding transmission of radiation image information (step S12). When the above-described shooting start standby control is performed, for example, in a state where the console 28 has received the shooting permission signal, the cassette controller 46 and the cassette information management unit 126 control the battery 44 as shown in step S10. It is advisable to carry out the shooting start control after taking the remaining amount into consideration. The imaging permission signal is directly transmitted from the electronic cassette 24 to the imaging device 22 without going through the console 28, and imaging start control is performed by the radiation source control unit 78 of the imaging device 22 or the cassette control unit 46 of the electronic cassette 24. Or imaging start standby control may be executed.

  As described above, the imaging system 10 can quickly supply power to the battery 44 even when imaging prohibition control is performed during transmission of radiation image information. For this reason, for example, it is particularly effective when the remaining amount of the battery 44 used in shooting is greatly reduced and it is desired to charge the battery quickly before the next shooting. In addition, after imaging | photography and electric power supply by above-mentioned step S1-S12 are complete | finished, when it is due to image | photograph again, etc., it should just return to each procedure, such as step S1, after completion | finish of step S12 (step S10). .

  In such a photographing system 10, it goes without saying that charging of the battery 44 may be appropriately performed under the control of the console 28 except during photographing.

  As described above, in the imaging system 10 according to the present embodiment, even when the electronic cassette 24 is installed at a desired imaging position with respect to the patient 14, the power supply device 25 can easily supply power to the electronic cassette 24. It can be carried out. For this reason, even when it is necessary to charge the battery 44 of the electronic cassette 24 during the operation, the electronic cassette 24 can be charged without moving the electronic cassette 24, and the electronic cassette 24 and the imaging system. The handleability of the entire 10 can be improved. Further, it is possible to effectively avoid interruption and extension of imaging and surgery due to a shortage of the battery 44 of the electronic cassette 24.

  In addition, the imaging system 10 (electronic cassette 24) includes a transmission state determination unit 107 and a signal generation unit 109, and prevents the imaging apparatus 22 from being driven and performing radiography while transmitting radiation image information. . For this reason, it is possible to prevent noise caused by radiation imaging from affecting the radiation image information (transmission signal) being transmitted, and the quality of the high-quality (high image quality) radiation image information acquired by the electronic cassette 24. Can be maintained. In this case, in order to avoid the radiation imaging by the imaging device 22 during transmission more reliably, the display unit 114 of the display device 26 may display “being transmitted” or “being captured”. . If it does so, the doctor 18 grade | etc., Can grasp | ascertain now more reliably and easily, and can perform radiography and wireless charging more smoothly.

  Further, the transmission state determination unit 107 and the signal generation unit 109 can generate a photographing permission signal that permits the start (resumption) of photographing when it is determined that transmission is not being performed (transmission end). For this reason, for example, when transmission is completed during shooting prohibition control, shooting can be started quickly.

  In the imaging system 10, when the electronic cassette 24 is arranged in the power supplyable area of the corresponding power supply device 25, information is automatically transmitted and received between the electronic cassette 24 and the power supply device 25 via the console 28. And the electronic cassette 24 is driven and controlled to be ready for photographing. Therefore, it is possible to omit providing a manual power switch or the like in the electronic cassette 24, and it is possible to prevent a shooting mistake caused by forgetting to operate the operation switch. For this reason, the handleability of the electronic cassette 24 and the imaging system 10 can be further improved.

  Further, when the desired magnetic field M is not detected by the energy detection unit 96 of the electronic cassette 24, for example, a wireless power supply impossible signal is transmitted from the data management unit 106 to the cassette information management unit 126, and further, the wireless power supply cannot be performed. By transmitting the signal to the display device 26, the display unit 114 can notify the doctor or the like to that effect.

  In the imaging system 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the power feeding device 25 and the imaging device 22 are provided with a transceiver 85 and a transceiver 77, respectively, and the detection LC resonator 94 and energy of the electronic cassette 24 are provided. Instead of the detection unit 96 (see FIG. 5), a radiographic imaging system 10a provided with a transceiver 95 and a power reception availability detection unit 97 may be configured.

  In the imaging system 10 shown in FIG. 4, whether or not the electronic cassette 24 is within the power supplyable area of the power supply device 25, that is, whether or not the electronic cassette 24 is in an area where power can be received from the power supply device 25 is detected. The LC resonator 94 for detection and the energy detection unit 96 are used as the units.

  On the other hand, in the imaging system 10 a shown in FIG. 8, a signal indicating the power supply area can be transmitted and received by communication between the transceivers 85 and 95. As the wireless communication from the transmitter / receiver 85 to the transmitter / receiver 95, for example, it is preferable to use a method that has directivity and does not affect other wireless communication by limiting the communication area. It is also possible to perform the same detection using an LED (light emitter) and a light receiver instead of the transceivers 85 and 95.

  Furthermore, in the imaging system 10a, a signal indicating a power supplyable area can be transmitted and received by communication between the transmitter / receiver 85 of the power supply apparatus 25 and the transmitter / receiver 95 of the wireless power receiving unit 49. As the wireless communication from the transmitter / receiver 85 to the transmitter / receiver 95, for example, it is preferable to use a method that has directivity and does not affect other wireless communication by limiting the communication area. It is also possible to perform the same detection using an LED (light emitter) and a light receiver instead of the transceivers 85 and 95.

  Further, in the photographing system 10a, by using wireless communication by the transceiver 77 of the photographing device 22, a photographing prohibition signal and a photographing permission signal can be notified from the electronic cassette to the photographing device 22 side. Then, in the electronic cassette 24, when the transmission state determination unit 107 determines that transmission is in progress, the imaging prohibition signal from the signal generation unit 109 is directly transmitted to the imaging device 22 without passing through the console 28. The transmission / reception can be performed by the 22 transmitter / receivers 77, and radiation imaging during transmission can be avoided more reliably. The same applies to the shooting start control based on the shooting permission signal.

  FIG. 9 is a block explanatory diagram of a radiographic image capturing system 10b according to a second modification of the radiographic image capturing system 10 shown in FIG.

  In the imaging system 10 described above, the electronic cassette 24 includes the transmission state determination unit 107 and the signal generation unit 109 related to the power supply prohibition control of the power supply device 25. On the other hand, in the imaging system 10b, the transmission state determination unit 107a and the signal generation unit (imaging prohibition signal generation unit, imaging permission signal generation unit) 109a are provided in the console 28, and the imaging prohibition control during transmission and the imaging during non-transmission are performed. Start control is performed.

  In the imaging system 10b, the transmission state determination unit 107a determines that the period from the start of communication with the electronic cassette 24 to the end of communication is being transmitted as radiation image information. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the communication start time is the time when the establishment request signal is inputted to the transceiver 116 of the console 28, and the answer signal (indicating that the communication link is established from the transceiver 116 of the console 28). It is one of the points in time when 1) is output and the point in time when the reception of radiation image information is started after the communication link is established. Which time point is set as the communication start time point can be appropriately selected according to the specifications of the electronic cassette 24 and the imaging system 10, the maximum voltage applied to the radiation source 74 of the imaging device 22, and the like.

  The end of communication is the end of reception of radiation image information, the time when a release request signal is input to the transceiver 116 of the console 28, and the answer signal (2) indicating that the communication link has been released from the transceiver 116 of the console 28 Is one of the points in time when is output. As in the above description, it is possible to appropriately select which time is set as the communication end time according to the specifications of the electronic cassette 24 and the imaging system 10, the maximum voltage applied to the radiation source 74 of the imaging device 22, and the like.

  Further, the transmission state determination unit 107a of the imaging system 10b may determine whether radiation image information is being transmitted from the console 28 to the display device 26 (that is, whether transmission is being performed). . In this case, the transceiver 116 of the console 28 establishes a communication link for performing data communication with the display device 26, releases the communication link, and transmits radiation image information. That is, the transmitter / receiver 116 establishes a communication link before performing data communication with the display device 26 when a communication request signal is input from the image processing unit 120, and performs communication when data communication with the display device 26 is completed. Release the link.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the establishment of the communication link outputs an establishment request signal for establishing the communication link toward the display device 26, and waits for an answer signal (3) from the display device 26. A communication link is established when the answer signal (3) is received. Thereafter, transmission of actual radiation image information (for example, radiation image information after image processing) is performed, and when the transmission of the radiation image information is completed, the communication link is released. To release the communication link, a release request signal for releasing the communication link is output to the display device 26, and an answer signal (4) from the display device 26 is awaited. When the answer signal (4) is received, the communication link is released.

  Accordingly, in this case as well, the transmission state determination unit 107a determines that the period from the start of communication with the display device 26 to the end of communication is being transmitted of radiation image information. Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the communication start time is the time when the establishment request signal is output from the transceiver 116 of the console 28, and the answer signal indicating that the communication link is established from the transceiver 110 of the display device 26. It is one of the time points when (3) is input and the transmission start point of the radiographic image information after the communication link is established.

  The end of communication is the end of transmission of radiation image information, the time when a release request signal is output from the transmitter / receiver 116 of the console 28, and the answer signal (4) indicating that the communication link has been released from the transmitter / receiver 110 of the display device 26. ) Is one of the time points entered.

  Then, the transmission state determination unit 107a of the console 28 determines that the radiographic image information is being transmitted if it is a period from the communication start time to the communication end time, and accordingly, an imaging prohibition signal is issued from the signal generation unit 109a. As in the case of the photographing system 10, photographing prohibition control during transmission is performed. The transmission state determination unit 107 and the signal generation unit 109 provided in the electronic cassette 24 may be set so as not to use the functions under the control of the console 28. Of course, in the photographing system 10b, a simple electronic cassette in which the transmission state determination unit 107 and the signal generation unit 109 are omitted can be used.

  In particular, in this example, it is possible to surely prohibit radiation imaging by the imaging device 22 during transmission of radiation image information from the console 28 to the display device 26, so that noise caused by radiation imaging is not generated. The radiation image information (transmission signal) being transmitted can be prevented from being affected, and the quality of the high quality (high image quality) radiation image information acquired by the radiation detection apparatus can be maintained.

  9, in the imaging system 10b, in addition to or instead of the transmission state determination unit 107a and the signal generation unit 109a, the transmission state determination unit 107b and the signal generation unit (shooting prohibition signal generation) are added to the imaging device 22. Section, photographing permission signal generation section) 109b. That is, if the transmission state determination unit and the signal generation unit are provided in at least one of the console 28, the imaging device 22, and the electronic cassette 24, the same imaging prohibition control and imaging start control (imaging start control) as the imaging system 10 described above. (Standby control) can be performed, and of course, a dedicated console or the like may be provided separately. When the transmission state determination unit and the signal generation unit are provided in a plurality of devices, for example, the transmission state determination unit and the signal generation unit mounted on an arbitrary device are selectively used under the control of the console 28. It may be configured so that the functions of the transmission state determination unit and the signal generation unit of other devices are not used.

  Since the electronic cassette 24 includes the transmission state determination unit 107 and the signal generation unit 109 as described above, for example, the control program of the console 28 is slightly changed even for an existing radiographic imaging system. Thus, there is an advantage that the above-described shooting prohibition control and shooting start control (shooting start standby control) can be easily added.

  The cassette control unit 46 of the electronic cassette 24, the imaging condition management unit 118 of the console 28, and the radiation source control unit 78 of the imaging apparatus 22 generate imaging prohibition signals (imaging permission signals) issued by the signal generation units 109, 109 a, and 109 b. It functions as an imaging prohibition control unit (imaging start control unit) that receives and controls the imaging device 22 to prohibit (start) radiation imaging by the imaging device 22. Accordingly, as in the case of the transmission state determination unit and the signal generation unit described above, the imaging prohibition control unit and the imaging start control unit may be provided in at least one device, that is, the cassette control unit 46 and the imaging condition. One of the management units 118 and the like may function as the shooting prohibition control unit and the shooting start control unit.

  In the radiographic imaging systems 10, 10 a, and 10 b described above, the radiographic image used during the operation is displayed on the display device 26. However, when only normal radiographic imaging is performed other than during the operation. It goes without saying that is also applicable. Similarly, the electronic cassette 24 is not limited to being used in the operating room 12 and can be applied to, for example, a medical examination or a round in a hospital.

  The power supply device 25 only needs to be able to supply power to the electronic cassette 24 wirelessly (contactlessly). For example, instead of the LC resonators 84 and 88 and the detection LC resonator 94, each of them is a dielectric. And an electric field may be used instead of the magnetic field M, and a device other than the so-called resonance-type wireless power feeding device as described above may be used. That is, as the supply energy obtained by converting the electric energy supplied from the power supply device 25 to the electronic cassette 24, for example, light energy, heat energy, or the like can be applied.

  Furthermore, in the radiographic imaging systems 10, 10 a, and 10 b, for example, the radiation detector 40 accommodated in the electronic cassette 24 converts the incident radiation X dose directly into an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion layer 51 (direct conversion). However, instead of this, the incident radiation X is once converted into visible light by a scintillator, and then this visible light is converted into an electrical signal using a solid-state detection element such as amorphous silicon (a-Si). A radiation detector (indirect conversion method) configured as described above may be used (see Japanese Patent No. 3494683).

  Furthermore, radiation image information can also be acquired using a light readout type radiation detector. In this optical readout type radiation detector, when radiation is incident on the solid detection elements arranged in a matrix, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the dose is accumulated and recorded on the solid detection elements. When reading the electrostatic latent image, the radiation detector is irradiated with reading light, and the value of the generated current is acquired as radiation image information. The radiation detector can erase and reuse the radiation image information that is the remaining electrostatic latent image by irradiating the radiation detector with erasing light (refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-105297). .

  Further, for example, transmission / reception of signals among the photographing device 22, the power feeding device 25, the display device 26, the console 28, and the like can be performed by wired communication.

  Further, the wireless communication between the electronic cassette 24 and the external device may be performed by optical wireless communication using infrared rays or the like instead of normal communication using radio waves.

  FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of an electronic cassette 500 according to a modification of the electronic cassette 24. In the electronic cassette 500, a guide line 504 serving as a reference for an imaging region and an imaging position is formed on the radiation irradiation surface side of the casing 502. By using the guide line 504 to position the subject (patient 14) with respect to the electronic cassette 500 and setting the radiation X irradiation range, the radiographic image information can be recorded in an appropriate imaging region.

  A display unit 506 that displays various types of information related to the electronic cassette 500 is disposed outside the imaging area of the electronic cassette 500. In the display unit 506, the ID information of the patient 14 recorded in the electronic cassette 500, the number of uses of the electronic cassette 500, the cumulative exposure dose, the state of charge (remaining capacity) of the battery 44 built in the electronic cassette 500, The imaging conditions of the radiation image information, the positioning image of the patient 14 with respect to the electronic cassette 500, and the like are displayed. In this case, for example, the radiologist confirms the patient 14 according to the ID information displayed on the display unit 506, confirms in advance that the electronic cassette 500 is in a usable state, and displays the displayed positioning image. Based on this, it is possible to position the desired imaging region of the patient 14 on the electronic cassette 500 and to perform imaging of optimal radiation image information.

  Further, by forming the handle portion 508 in the electronic cassette 500, the electronic cassette 500 can be easily handled and carried.

  On the side of the electronic cassette 500, an AC adapter input terminal 510, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal 512, and a card slot 516 for loading a memory card 514 are preferably provided.

  The input terminal 510 is connected to the AC adapter from the outside when the charging function of the battery 44 built in the electronic cassette 500 is deteriorated or when sufficient time for charging the battery 44 cannot be secured. By supplying power, the electronic cassette 500 can be immediately used.

  The USB terminal 512 or the card slot 516 can be used when the electronic cassette 500 cannot transmit and receive information by wireless communication with an external device such as the console 28. That is, by connecting a cable to the USB terminal 512, information can be transmitted / received to / from an external device by wired communication. In addition, information can be transmitted and received by loading a memory card 514 into the card slot 516, recording necessary information on the memory card 514, and then removing the memory card 514 and loading it into an external device.

  As shown in FIG. 12, it is preferable to place a cradle 518 that is loaded with an electronic cassette 24 and charges a built-in battery 44 at a required location in the operating room 12 or hospital. In this case, the cradle 518 uses the wireless communication function or the wired communication function of the cradle 518 as well as charging the battery 44 by a non-contact power supply device (not shown) similar to the power supply device 25 described above, so that Necessary information may be exchanged with an external device such as 28. The information to be transmitted / received can include radiation image information recorded in the electronic cassette 24 loaded in the cradle 518.

  In addition, a display unit 520 is provided in the cradle 518, and the display unit 520 displays necessary information including the charged state of the electronic cassette 24 loaded and the radiation image information acquired from the electronic cassette 24. You may do it.

  Further, a plurality of cradle 518 is connected to the network, and the charging state of the electronic cassette 24 loaded in each cradle 518 is collected via the network so that the location of the electronic cassette 24 in the usable charging state can be confirmed. It can also be configured.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a radiographic image capturing system 10c according to a third modification of the radiographic image capturing system 10 shown in FIG.

  In the imaging system 10 and the like described above, the configuration in which the electronic cassette 24 is used as a radiation detection apparatus that detects the irradiated radiation X and acquires radiation image information has been described. On the other hand, in the imaging system 10c, a configuration in which the supine imaging is performed using the radiation detection device 152 built in the imaging table 150, which is a bed on which the patient 14 lies, instead of the electronic cassette 24 will be described.

  In the imaging system 10c, the radiation detection device 152 has substantially the same configuration and structure as the electronic cassette 24 described above, and includes a radiation detector 40, a battery 44, a wireless power receiving unit 49, a control unit 46a, a transceiver 48, and the like. Each device is housed in a box-shaped casing 154 made of a material that transmits radiation X. The control unit 46a functions in substantially the same manner as the cassette control unit 46 constituting the electronic cassette 24, and includes a transmission state determination unit 107, a signal generation unit (shooting prohibition signal generation unit, shooting permission signal generation unit) 109, and the like. Have.

  A rail 156 is provided on the lower surface of the imaging table 150 along the longitudinal direction thereof. The radiation detection device 152 is moved along the rail 156 by a slider mechanism (not shown) provided in the casing 154. It can be moved to a desired position in the arrow X direction (horizontal direction). Therefore, the radiation detection device 152 can be easily moved to a desired imaging region of the patient 14 lying on the imaging table 150.

  As described above, in the imaging system 10c, while the radiation detection device 152 can be moved, the radiation detection device 152 incorporates the battery 44 and the wireless power receiving unit 49 in substantially the same manner as the electronic cassette 24 described above. A power cable or the like to the detection device 152 is not necessary. Therefore, the radiation detection device 152 can be smoothly moved without being affected by the cables, and the handleability can be improved. Similarly to the above-described imaging system 10 and the like, wireless power feeding from the power supply device 25 to the battery 44 and imaging by the imaging device 22 can be appropriately controlled, and imaging prohibition control during transmission and imaging start during non-transmission are started. By performing the control, it is possible to acquire a high-quality radiographic image.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the imaging system 10 c may have a configuration in which wheels 158 are provided on the legs of the imaging table 150. In this case, the imaging table 150 itself can be easily moved to a desired position in the room, and the rail 156 can be eliminated if necessary, and the radiation detection device 152 can be fixed to the imaging table 150.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a radiographic image capturing system 10d according to a fourth modification of the radiographic image capturing system 10 shown in FIG.

  The imaging system 10d does not use the electronic cassette 24 in the same manner as the imaging system 10c described above, but stands by using a radiation detection device 164 that is detachable from a column 162 that is fixed to a floor surface and a wall surface 160 (not shown). This is a system for shooting.

  The radiation detection device 164 has substantially the same configuration and structure as the electronic cassette 24 and the radiation detection device 152 described above, and includes a radiation detector 40, a battery 44, a wireless power reception unit 49, a control unit 46a, a transceiver 48, and the like. Each of these devices is housed in a box-shaped casing 154 made of a material that transmits the radiation X.

  In this case, a pair of hook members 166 and 168 spaced apart in the vertical direction are provided on the back surface of the radiation detection apparatus 164 functioning as a standing imaging stand. On the other hand, a mounting recess 170 is formed on the side surface of the support column 162 facing the radiation detection device 164. The mounting recess 170 extends in the horizontal direction (the shoulder width direction of the patient 14) and corresponds to the hook members 166 and 168. A pair of shafts 172 and 174 spaced apart in the vertical direction are fixed. Further, the lower hook member 168 can swing upward with a support shaft 176 as a fulcrum by a spring mechanism (not shown) (see the broken line in FIG. 14).

  Therefore, the hook members 166 and 168 can be easily and reliably attached to and detached from the shafts 172 and 174 by using the swinging motion of the hook member 168, that is, the radiation detection device 164 can be easily attached to the column 162. And can be securely attached and detached. Further, the radiation detection device 164 is movable in the arrow Y direction (vertical direction) by a slide mechanism (not shown) while being attached to the support column 162.

  Note that reference numeral 178 in FIG. 14 is a frame fixed in both width directions of the casing 154, and when the patient 14 takes a desired imaging posture with respect to the radiation detection device 164, which is an imaging table, the imaging posture. It is a bar member grasped in order to maintain.

  As described above, in the imaging system 10d, the radiation detection device 164 is detachable and movable with respect to the support column 162, while the radiation detection device 164 includes the battery 44 in substantially the same manner as the electronic cassette 24 and the radiation detection device 152 described above. In addition, since the wireless power receiving unit 49 is built in, a power cable or the like is unnecessary. Therefore, the radiation detection apparatus 164 can be easily moved and detached without being affected by the cables. Similarly to the above-described imaging system 10 and the like, wireless power feeding from the power supply device 25 to the battery 44 and imaging by the imaging device 22 can be appropriately controlled, and imaging prohibition control during transmission and imaging start during non-transmission are started. By performing the control, it is possible to acquire a high-quality radiographic image.

  As described above, in the imaging systems 10, 10 a to 10 d according to the present embodiment, the electronic cassette 24 and the radiation detection devices 152 and 164 that are radiation detection devices can be moved, but these are set at desired imaging positions. Even in this case, the power supply device 25 can easily supply power to the electronic cassette 24. In addition, since the transmission state determination unit 107 and the signal generation unit 109 are provided, it is possible to prevent noise caused by radiography from affecting the radiation image information (transmission signal) being transmitted. The quality of the high-quality (high image quality) radiation image information acquired by the cassette 24 can be maintained.

  The radiation detection apparatus, the radiation image capturing system, and the radiation image capturing method according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention. is there.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10a-10d ... Radiation imaging system 22 ... Imaging device 24, 500 ... Electronic cassette 25 ... Power supply device 26 ... Display device 28 ... Console 40 ... Radiation detector 44 ... Battery 46 ... Cassette control part 46a ... Control part 49 ... Wireless power reception unit 72 ... Imaging switch 78 ... Radiation source control unit 86 ... Power supply control unit 107, 107a, 107b ... Transmission state determination unit 109, 109a, 109b ... Signal generation unit 128 ... Power supply information management unit 152, 164 ... Radiation detection device

Claims (10)

A radiation detector that detects radiation transmitted through the subject and converts it into radiation image information;
A communication unit that performs at least wireless transmission processing of the radiation image information;
A power supply for supplying power to the radiation detector;
A wireless power receiving unit that receives power supplied wirelessly from an external wireless power supply device and supplies power to the power supply unit;
A transmission state determination unit that determines whether or not the radiation image information is being transmitted;
An imaging prohibition signal generator for generating an imaging prohibition signal for prohibiting imaging by radiation when the transmission state determination unit determines that transmission is in progress;
A radiation detection apparatus comprising: The radiation detection apparatus according to claim 1,
A radiation detection apparatus comprising: an imaging permission signal generation unit that generates an imaging permission signal for permitting the imaging when the transmission state determination unit determines that the radiation image information is not being transmitted. . The radiation detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
During the transmission determined by the transmission state determination unit, a period from the communication start time to the communication end time is included,
The communication start time is the time when a signal for requesting establishment of a communication link is output from the communication unit, the time when a signal indicating that the communication link is established is input to the communication unit, and the communication link Is at any one of the transmission start time of the radiographic image information after the establishment,
The communication end time is the time when a signal for requesting the release of the communication link is output from the communication unit, the time when a signal indicating that the communication link is released is input to the communication unit, the radiation A radiation detection apparatus characterized by being at any one of the end points of transmission of image information. A radiation irradiation device for irradiating the subject with radiation;
A radiation detector that detects radiation transmitted through the subject and converts the radiation into radiation image information; a power supply that supplies power to the radiation detector; and a communication unit that performs at least wireless transmission processing of the radiation image information A radiation detector;
A wireless power supply device that is provided in the radiation detection device and that supplies power wirelessly to a wireless power receiving unit that supplies power to the power supply unit;
A control device for controlling driving of the radiation irradiation device, the radiation detection device, and the wireless power feeding device;
A radiographic imaging system comprising:
Furthermore, a transmission state determination unit that determines whether or not the radiation image information is being transmitted;
An imaging prohibition signal generator for generating an imaging prohibition signal for prohibiting imaging by radiation when the transmission state determination unit determines that transmission is in progress;
Upon receiving the imaging prohibition signal, an imaging prohibition control unit that controls the radiation irradiation device to prohibit the imaging,
A radiographic imaging system characterized in that is provided. In the radiographic imaging system of Claim 4,
When it is determined by the transmission state determination unit that the radiation image information is not being transmitted,
A photographing permission signal generator for generating a photographing permission signal for permitting the photographing;
Upon receiving the imaging permission signal, an imaging start control unit that controls the radiation irradiation apparatus to start imaging or to start imaging standby,
A radiographic imaging system comprising: In the radiographic imaging system of Claim 4,
During the transmission determined by the transmission state determination unit, a period from the communication start time to the communication end time is included,
The communication start time is a time when an establishment request signal for requesting establishment of a communication link is output from the communication unit of the radiation detection device, a time when the establishment request signal is input to the control device, and the control device When an answer signal indicating that the communication link has been established is output, when the answer signal indicating that the communication link has been established is input to the communication unit of the radiation detection apparatus, the communication link Is at any one of the transmission start time of the radiographic image information after the establishment,
The communication end time is the time when a release request signal for requesting the release of the communication link is output from the communication unit of the radiation detection device, the time when the release request signal is input to the control device, the control When an answer signal indicating that the communication link has been released is output from an apparatus, when the answer signal indicating that the communication link has been released is input to the communication unit of the radiation detection apparatus, and the radiation A radiographic imaging system, characterized in that it is at any point in time when image information transmission ends. In the radiographic imaging system of Claim 4,
The radiographic imaging system, wherein the transmission state determination unit and the imaging prohibition signal generation unit are provided in at least one of the radiation detection device, the imaging device, and the control device. In the radiographic imaging system of Claim 4,
The radiographic image capturing system, wherein the radiography prohibition control unit is provided in at least one of the radiation detection apparatus, the imaging apparatus, and the control apparatus. A radiation image capturing method of irradiating a subject with radiation, detecting the radiation with a radiation detector mounted on a radiation detection device and converting the radiation into radiation image information, and transmitting the radiation image information,
A radiographic imaging method characterized in that power is supplied to a power supply unit of the radiation detection device wirelessly and radiographic imaging is prohibited during transmission of the radiographic image information. In the radiographic imaging method of Claim 9,
A radiographic imaging method, comprising: starting radiography after transmission of the radiographic image information is completed in a state in which radiography is prohibited during transmission of the radiographic image information.

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