JP2012159458A - Radiation image capturing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiation image capturing system that reduces complexity in handling an accommodation device even when the accommodation device is provided with a drive device that operates in cooperation with a radiation image capturing device.SOLUTION: An electronic cassette 12 is provided with a connection terminal 12A capable of supplying power to the outside. When the electronic cassette 12 is accommodated in a cassette holder 14, the power supplied from the connection terminal 12A is received by a connection terminal 57, and an ultrasonic transmitter 56 is driven by the received power.

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic image capturing system, and more particularly to a portable radiographic image capturing apparatus that captures a radiographic image and a radiographic image capturing system having a storage device that stores the radiographic image capturing apparatus.

  In recent years, radiation detectors such as FPD (Flat Panel Detector) that can arrange radiation sensitive layers on TFT (Thin Film Transistor) active matrix substrates and convert radiation directly into digital data have been put into practical use. A portable radiographic imaging device (hereinafter also referred to as “electronic cassette”) that captures a radiographic image represented by the irradiated radiation has been put into practical use. The radiographic imaging device using this radiation detector can see images immediately and can perform radiographic imaging continuously, compared to conventional radiographic imaging devices using X-ray films or imaging plates. There is an advantage that (moving image shooting) can also be performed. Radiation detectors convert radiation into indirect conversion methods in which radiation is converted into light by a scintillator and then converted into charges in a semiconductor layer such as a photodiode, or radiation is charged in a semiconductor layer such as amorphous selenium. There are various types of materials that can be used for the semiconductor layer in each method.

  By the way, in radiographic image capturing, a distance between the radiation source and the radiographic image capturing apparatus in the vertical direction (hereinafter also referred to as “SID” (Source Image Distance)) is generally adjusted to a distance according to the imaging conditions. Shooting is performed.

  As techniques for adjusting the SID with high accuracy and performing imaging, Patent Documents 1 and 2 provide a plurality of ultrasonic transmitters in a predetermined positional relationship in a cassette holder (accommodating device) that accommodates a cassette, An ultrasonic receiver is provided in the radiation source part, and ultrasonic waves transmitted from the respective ultrasonic transmitters are received by the ultrasonic receivers in the radiation source part, respectively, and in the direction of each ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic receiver. Discloses a technique for calculating the distance between the cassette and the radiation source.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-62340 Japanese Utility Model Publication 2-61310

  By the way, it is necessary to supply electric power to drive the supersonic transmitter.

  For this reason, when the battery for supplying power for driving each ultrasonic transmitter is provided in the cassette holder, it is necessary to periodically charge the battery of the cassette holder, and handling of the cassette holder becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and radiographic imaging that can reduce the handling of the accommodating device even when the accommodating device is provided with a driving device that operates in cooperation with the radiographic imaging device. The purpose is to provide a system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a radiographic imaging system according to claim 1 includes a portable radiographic imaging apparatus including a power source and a power supply unit capable of supplying power from the power source to the outside. A storage area for storing the portable radiographic imaging device, a power reception unit for receiving power from the power supply unit in a state where the portable radiographic imaging device is stored in the storage area, and the power reception unit And a storage device provided with a driving device that is driven in cooperation with the radiographic imaging device when supplied with the electric power received.

  According to the radiographic imaging system of the first aspect, the portable radiographic imaging apparatus includes a power source and a power supply unit capable of supplying power from the power source to the outside.

  The storage device has a storage area for storing the portable radiographic imaging device, and the power reception unit receives power from the power supply unit in a state where the portable radiographic imaging device is stored in the storage region. The driving device is driven in cooperation with the radiation image capturing device by the power received by the power receiving unit.

  Thus, according to the radiographic imaging system of claim 1, the portable radiographic imaging apparatus is provided with the power supply unit capable of supplying power to the outside, and the portable radiographic imaging apparatus is provided in the storage device. When the power is received, the power receiving unit receives power from the power supply unit, and the driving device is driven by the received power in cooperation with the radiographic imaging device, thereby reducing the complexity of handling the housing device. it can.

  According to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 2, the storage device includes a battery that supplies power, and a switching unit that switches the power supply to the drive device to the power reception unit or the battery. Further, it may be provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, as in the third aspect of the present invention, when the remaining amount of power remaining in the power source is larger than a predetermined allowable remaining amount, the power source is transferred to the driving device. Control means for controlling the switching means so that power is supplied from the battery to the driving device when power is supplied and the remaining amount of power stored in the power source is less than or equal to the allowable remaining amount; It is preferable to have.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, as in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means supplies power from the battery when the portable radiographic imaging device is turned off or in a power saving state. In the operation state where radiographic image capturing is performed, the switching unit may be controlled so that power is supplied from the power receiving unit.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, as in the fifth aspect of the invention, the accommodation device communicates with a control device that transmits switching instruction information for switching power supply to the power reception unit or the battery. If the switching instruction information is received by the communication means and the communication means, the communication means may further include a control means for controlling the switching means based on the switching instruction information.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, as in the sixth aspect of the invention, the portable radiographic imaging device transmits control instruction information for switching power supply to the power reception unit or the battery. A first communication means for communicating with the apparatus, and a second communication means capable of communicating with the accommodation apparatus and transmitting the switching instruction information obtained by communication with the first communication means to the accommodation apparatus, The accommodating device further includes a third communication unit that communicates with the second communication unit, and a control unit that controls the switching unit based on the switch instruction information when the switching instruction information is received by the third communication unit. May be.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 7, the driving device is a distance measuring device that measures a distance from the radiation source of the radiographic imaging device in a state of being held in the housing device. There may be.

  According to the present invention, even when a drive device that is driven in cooperation with the radiographic image capturing device is provided in the storage device, it is possible to reduce the complexity of handling the storage device.

It is a perspective view which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the radiography system which concerns on embodiment to the hospital room. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the electronic cassette concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the cassette holder which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electric system of the imaging | photography system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the electricity supply state switching process program which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the measurement result display screen which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the non-energization state switching process program which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the electronic cassette concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the cassette holder which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electric system of the electronic cassette and cassette holder which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the switching instruction | indication processing program which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the switching process program which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electric system of the electronic cassette which concerns on another form, and a cassette holder.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, a description will be given of an example in which the present invention is applied to a radiation imaging system that captures a radiation image using an electronic cassette.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows an example of a state in which the radiation imaging system 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment is arranged in a hospital room.

  The radiation imaging system 10 according to the present embodiment is portable, has an electronic cassette 12 that generates image information indicating a radiographic image represented by irradiated radiation, and a cassette holder 14 that holds the electronic cassette 12. The radiation generating device 16 that generates radiation and the console 18 that controls the radiation generating device 16 are provided.

  The cassette holder 14 is disposed between the bed 15 and the patient 17 lying on the bed 15.

  On the other hand, the radiation generator 16 according to the present embodiment includes an arm 20, and a radiation emitting unit 22 is provided at one end of the arm 20. In addition, the radiation generator 16 is provided with a wheel 26 at the bottom of the main body 24 and is movable in the hospital.

  The console 18 according to the present embodiment is configured by a notebook computer or the like, and accepts various operation inputs related to photographing such as exposure conditions from a photographer.

  Further, the radiation emitting unit 22 is disposed on the upper part of the patient 17 who is lying on the bed 15. When the radiation generator 16 is instructed to take a radiographic image via the console 18, the radiation generator 16 irradiates the radiation emitting unit 22 with a radiation dose corresponding to the above-described exposure conditions. The radiation emitted from the radiation generator 16 passes through the patient 17 and carries the image information, and then irradiates the electronic cassette 12.

  FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration of the electronic cassette 12 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the electronic cassette 12 includes a casing 41 made of a material that transmits radiation X, and has a waterproof and airtight structure. When the electronic cassette 12 is used in an operating room or the like, there is a risk that blood or other germs may adhere. Therefore, one electronic cassette 12 can be used repeatedly by sterilizing and cleaning the electronic cassette 12 as a waterproof and airtight structure as necessary.

  Inside the housing 41, a grid 43 for removing scattered radiation of the radiation X by the patient from the irradiation surface 42 side of the housing 41 to which the radiation X is irradiated, and a radiation detector 44 for detecting the radiation X transmitted through the patient. , And a lead plate 45 that absorbs backscattered rays of radiation X is disposed in order. Note that the irradiation surface 42 of the housing 41 may be configured as a grid 43. One side surface 41A of the casing 41 is provided with a connection terminal 12A for supplying power to the outside.

  In addition, a case 46 that houses an electronic circuit including a microcomputer and a rechargeable secondary battery is disposed on one end side inside the housing 41. The radiation detector 44 and the electronic circuit are operated by electric power supplied from the secondary battery disposed in the case 46. In order to avoid various circuits housed in the case 46 from being damaged by the radiation X irradiation, it is desirable to arrange a lead plate or the like on the irradiation surface 42 side of the case 46. The electronic cassette 12 according to the present exemplary embodiment is a rectangular parallelepiped whose irradiation surface 42 has a rectangular shape, and a case 46 is disposed at one end in the longitudinal direction.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the cassette holder 14 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the cassette holder 14 according to the present embodiment is provided with a housing 52 that houses the electronic cassette 12 therein. The casing 52 has a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a cassette insertion port 53 into which the electronic cassette 12 is inserted is provided on one of the side walls.

  On the other hand, inside the housing 52, the inside of the housing 52 is an area in the vicinity of the three side walls excluding the side wall provided with the cassette insertion port 53 and an area for accommodating the electronic cassette 12 (hereinafter referred to as “cassette accommodating area”). ) And three partition walls 52A, 52B, and 52C having an L-shaped cross-sectional view.

  The partition wall 52A and the partition wall 52B are respectively provided on the left end side and the right end side of the cassette housing region, and one ultrasonic transmitter 56A is provided on the upper surface (surface on which radiation is incident) of the partition wall 52A. On the other hand, two ultrasonic transmitters 56B and 56C are provided on the upper surface of the partition wall 52B. The ultrasonic transmitters 56 </ b> A to 56 </ b> C are configured to emit ultrasonic waves having a predetermined frequency in a state where electric power is supplied, and regions where the ultrasonic waves are emitted are exposed from the surface of the housing 52. It is provided to do.

  A plurality of (two in the example shown in the figure) springs 58 </ b> A that urge the electronic cassette 12 toward the cassette insertion opening 53 when the electronic cassette 12 is accommodated on the side surface of the partition 52 </ b> C on the cassette accommodation area side. , 58B are erected. Further, a connection terminal 57 is provided at a position corresponding to the connection terminal 12 </ b> A when the electronic cassette 12 of the partition wall 52 </ b> C is stored and stored in the cassette storage area. The connection terminal 57 can be energized by contacting the connection terminal 12A when the electronic cassette 12 is housed in the cassette housing area.

  In addition, a holding portion 60 that holds the electronic cassette 12 in the cassette housing area when the electronic cassette 12 is housed is provided at the tip on the side surface of the partition wall 52A on the cassette housing area side and in the vicinity of the cassette insertion port 53. The spring 58C is erected.

  When the spring 58C is extended most, the holding portion 60 is positioned at the position shown in the figure, while the holding portion 60 extends from the end on the side where the electronic cassette 12 is inserted to the end opposite to the end. The shape is inclined toward the center side of the cassette housing area. Thus, when the electronic cassette 12 is inserted from the cassette insertion port 53, the holding portion 60 is moved in the direction of arrow B by contact with the wall surface of the electronic cassette 12, and then the entire electronic cassette 12 is moved. The electronic cassette 12 can be held in the cassette receiving area by the holding portion 60 as a result of being returned to the position shown in FIG. When the electronic cassette 12 is taken out from the cassette holder 14, the end of the electronic cassette 12 on the cassette insertion port 53 side is moved by the urging force of the spring 58A and the spring 58B by moving the holding portion 60 in the direction of arrow B in the figure. Since the portion can be exposed to the outside of the casing 52, the electronic cassette 12 can be taken out by grasping the end portion.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of the main part of the electrical system of the radiation imaging system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The radiation generator 16 is provided with a connection terminal 16 </ b> A for communicating with the console 18. The console 18 is provided with a connection terminal 18 </ b> A for communicating with the radiation generator 16. The connection terminal 16A of the radiation generator 16 and the connection terminal 18A of the console 18 are connected by a cable 35.

  The radiation detector 44 built in the electronic cassette 12 is configured by laminating a photoelectric conversion layer that absorbs radiation X and converts it into charges on a TFT active matrix substrate 66. The photoelectric conversion layer is made of amorphous a-Se (amorphous selenium) containing, for example, selenium as a main component (for example, a content rate of 50% or more), and when irradiated with radiation X, a charge corresponding to the amount of irradiated radiation. By generating a certain amount of charge (electron-hole pairs) internally, the irradiated radiation X is converted into a charge. The radiation detector 44 is indirectly charged using a phosphor material and a photoelectric conversion element (photodiode) instead of the radiation-charge conversion material that directly converts the radiation X such as amorphous selenium into an electric charge. May be converted to As phosphor materials, gadolinium sulfate (GOS) and cesium iodide (CsI) are well known. In this case, radiation X-light conversion is performed using a phosphor material, and light-charge conversion is performed using a photodiode of a photoelectric conversion element.

  Further, on the TFT active matrix substrate 66, a pixel portion 74 (in FIG. 4) provided with a storage capacitor 68 for storing the charge generated in the photoelectric conversion layer and a TFT 70 for reading out the charge stored in the storage capacitor 68. A large number of photoelectric conversion layers corresponding to the individual pixel portions 74 are schematically shown as sensor portions 72.) A large number of photoelectric conversion layers are arranged in a matrix, and the photoelectric conversion layers accompany the irradiation of radiation X to the electronic cassette 12. The electric charges generated in are accumulated in the storage capacitors 68 of the individual pixel portions 74. As a result, the image information carried on the radiation X irradiated to the electronic cassette 12 is converted into charge information and held in the radiation detector 44.

  The TFT active matrix substrate 66 is extended in a certain direction (row direction), a plurality of gate wirings 76 for turning on / off the TFTs 70 of the individual pixel portions 74, and a direction orthogonal to the gate wirings 76. A plurality of data wirings 78 are provided so as to read the stored charge from the storage capacitor 68 via the TFT 70 which is extended in the (column direction) and turned on. Individual gate lines 76 are connected to a gate line driver 80, and individual data lines 78 are connected to a signal processing unit 82. When charges are accumulated in the storage capacitors 68 of the individual pixel portions 74, the TFTs 70 of the individual pixel portions 74 are sequentially turned on in units of rows by a signal supplied from the gate line driver 80 via the gate wiring 76. The charges stored in the storage capacitor 68 of the pixel unit 74 in which the TFT 70 is turned on are transmitted as an analog electric signal through the data wiring 78 and input to the signal processing unit 82. Accordingly, the charges accumulated in the storage capacitors 68 of the individual pixel portions 74 are sequentially read out in units of rows.

  Although not shown, the signal processing unit 82 includes an amplifier and a sample-and-hold circuit provided for each data wiring 78, and an electric signal transmitted through each data wiring 78 is amplified by the amplifier. It is held in the sample hold circuit. Further, a multiplexer and an A / D (analog / digital) converter are connected in order to the output side of the sample and hold circuit, and the electric signals held in the individual sample and hold circuits are sequentially (serially) input to the multiplexer. The digital image data is converted by an A / D converter.

  An image memory 90 is connected to the signal processing unit 82, and image data output from the A / D converter of the signal processing unit 82 is sequentially stored in the image memory 90. The image memory 90 has a storage capacity capable of storing a predetermined number of image data, and image data obtained by imaging is sequentially stored in the image memory 90 every time a radiographic image is captured.

  The image memory 90 is connected to a cassette control unit 92 that controls the operation of the entire electronic cassette 12. The cassette control unit 92 is configured by a microcomputer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 92A, a memory 92B including a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, and the like. A nonvolatile storage unit 92C is provided.

  A wireless communication unit 94 is connected to the cassette control unit 92. The wireless communication unit 94 is compatible with a wireless local area network (LAN) standard represented by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11a / b / g, etc. Control the transmission of various information. The cassette control unit 92 can wirelessly communicate with the console 16 via the wireless communication unit 94, and transmits / receives various information to / from the console 16. The cassette control unit 92 stores an exposure condition, which will be described later, received from the console 16 via the wireless communication unit 94, and starts reading out charges based on the exposure condition.

  The electronic cassette 12 is provided with a power supply unit 96. The various circuits and elements described above (gate line driver 80, signal processing unit 82, image memory 90, wireless communication unit 94, microcomputer functioning as cassette control unit 92, etc.) are operated by power supplied from power supply unit 96. To do. The power supply unit 96 incorporates the above-described battery (secondary battery) so as not to impair the portability of the electronic cassette 12, and supplies power from the charged battery to various circuits and elements. In FIG. 4, the power supply unit 96 and wirings for connecting various circuits and elements are omitted.

  The power supply unit 96 is connected to a connection terminal 12A for supplying power to the outside via an energization switching unit 97 that switches energization such as a switch. The energization switching unit 97 is connected to the cassette control unit 92, and switches between energization and non-energization of the power from the power supply unit 96 to the connection terminal 12 </ b> A according to control from the cassette control unit 92.

  On the other hand, the cassette holder 14 is provided with ultrasonic transmitters 56A to 56C. The ultrasonic transmitters 56 </ b> A to 56 </ b> C are connected to the connection terminal 12 </ b> A through the wiring 59, and are driven to generate ultrasonic waves when power is supplied through the connection terminal 12 </ b> A and the wiring 59.

  On the other hand, the console 18 includes a display 100 that displays an operation menu, a captured radiographic image, and the like, and an operation panel 102 that includes a plurality of keys and inputs various information and operation instructions. .

  The console 18 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 104 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, a ROM 106 that stores various programs including a control program in advance, a RAM 108 that temporarily stores various data, and various data. It includes an HDD 110 that stores and holds, a display driver 112 that controls display of various types of information on the display 100, and an operation input detection unit 114 that detects an operation state of the operation panel 102. Further, the console 18 is connected to the connection terminal 18A, and a communication I / F unit 116 that transmits and receives various information such as an exposure condition to be described later to and from the radiation generator 16 via the connection terminal 18A and the cable 35. A wireless communication unit 118 that transmits and receives various types of information such as exposure conditions to and from the electronic cassette 12 by wireless communication.

  The CPU 104, ROM 106, RAM 108, HDD 110, display driver 112, operation input detection unit 114, communication I / F unit 116, and wireless communication unit 118 are connected to each other via a system bus BUS. Therefore, the CPU 104 can access the ROM 106, the RAM 108, and the HDD 110, controls the display of various information on the display 100 via the display driver 112, and the radiation generator 16 via the communication I / F unit 116. And control of transmission / reception of various information to / from the electronic cassette 12 via the wireless communication unit 118. Further, the CPU 104 can grasp the operation state of the user with respect to the operation panel 102 via the operation input detection unit 114.

  On the other hand, the radiation generator 16 is based on the radiation source 130 that emits the radiation X, the communication I / F unit 132 that transmits and receives various types of information such as the exposure condition between the console 18, and the received exposure condition. A radiation source controller 134 for controlling the radiation source 130, a collimator 136 for limiting the irradiation area of the radiation emitted from the radiation source 130, and a plurality of (respectively) ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitters 56A to 56C. In the present embodiment, two ultrasonic receivers 138A and 138B are provided.

  The radiation source control unit 134 is also realized by a microcomputer, and the communication I / F unit 132, the radiation source 130, and the collimator 136 are connected to each other. The radiation source control unit 134 performs control related to the radiation emission operation by the radiation source 130 and control related to restriction of the radiation irradiation region by the collimator 136. In addition, an ultrasonic receiver 138A and an ultrasonic receiver 138B are connected to the radiation source controller 134. From the ultrasonic transmitters 56A to 56C provided in the cassette holder 14 by the ultrasonic receivers 138A and 138B. The transmitted ultrasonic wave is received, and the distance to the electronic cassette 12 is derived by a triangulation technique based on the received ultrasonic signal level.

  In the radiation imaging system 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic receiver 138A is provided at one end of the collimator 136, while the ultrasonic receiver 138B is provided at the other end opposite to the one end. The radiation source control unit 134 is centered on the center of the imaging surface at the position where the electronic cassette 12 is arranged, based on the ultrasonic signal level obtained via each of the ultrasonic receiver 138A and the ultrasonic receiver 138B. The rotation angle about the axis can be grasped.

  Next, the operation of the radiation imaging system 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.

  When taking a radiographic image, a radiographer, doctor, or other such photographer accommodates the electronic cassette 12 in the cassette holder 14. When the electronic cassette 12 is stored in the cassette holder 14, the connection terminal 12 </ b> A of the electronic cassette 12 and the connection terminal 57 of the cassette holder 14 come into contact with each other and can be energized.

  The photographer inputs exposure conditions such as tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation period to the console 18 via the operation panel 102. When the exposure condition is input, the console 18 transmits the input exposure condition to the electronic cassette 12 via the wireless communication unit 118, and the radiation generation apparatus transmits the exposure condition via the communication I / F unit 116. 16 is transmitted.

  When receiving the exposure condition from the console 18, the radiation source control unit 134 of the radiation generator 16 stores the received exposure condition and prepares for exposure under the exposure condition.

When receiving the exposure condition from the console 18, the cassette control unit 92 of the electronic cassette 12 stores the received exposure condition in the storage unit 92C. Further, the cassette control unit 92 executes an energization state switching process for switching the energization switching unit 97 to the energized state when the exposure condition is received. In FIG. 5, the CPU 92A of the cassette control unit 92 according to the present embodiment A flowchart showing the flow of processing of the switching instruction processing program to be executed is shown. The program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the memory 92B (ROM), and is executed when an exposure condition is input to the operation panel 102.

  In step S10 in the figure, the energization switching unit 97 is controlled to switch the energization switching unit 97 to the energized state, and the process ends.

  Thereby, the power of the power supply unit 96 flows to the connection terminal 12A, and the supply of driving power to each of the ultrasonic transmitters 56A to 56C is started via the connection terminal 57 and the wiring 59, and the ultrasonic transmitters 56A to 56A. Transmission of ultrasonic waves from 56C is started.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 1 as an example, the photographer places the cassette holder 14 below the imaging target region of the patient and holds the radiation emitting unit 22 in the radiation generator 16 on the cassette holder 14. The electronic cassette 12 is positioned at a position where a radiographic image can be taken.

  On the other hand, the radiation generator 16 uses the cassette holder 14 (specifically, based on the signal levels of the ultrasonic waves received from the ultrasonic transmitters 56A to 56C by the ultrasonic receivers 138A and 138B by the radiation source controller 134. In this case, the distance between the electronic cassette 12) and the collimator 136 and the rotation angle of the electronic cassette 12 are derived in real time, information indicating the derived distance (hereinafter referred to as “distance information”), and the rotation angle. Information (hereinafter referred to as “rotation angle information”) is transmitted to the console 18 in real time.

  The console 18 displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as “measurement result display screen”) indicating the distance and rotation angle between the electronic cassette 12 and the collimator 136 indicated by the distance information and rotation angle information received from the radiation generator 16. As an example, 100 is displayed in real time as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the photographer refers to the measurement result display screen displayed on the display 100 so that the distance and the rotation angle displayed on the screen are substantially the same as those planned. The arrangement position of at least one of the radiation emitting unit 22 is adjusted.

  Then, when the photographing preparation is completed, the photographer performs a photographing instruction operation for instructing photographing on the operation panel 102 of the console 18.

  In the console 18, when an imaging instruction operation is performed on the operation panel 102, instruction information for instructing the start of exposure is transmitted to the radiation generator 16 and the electronic cassette 12.

  In response to this, the radiation source 130 emits the radiation X for the irradiation period at a tube voltage and a tube current corresponding to the exposure conditions received by the radiation generator 16 from the console 18. The radiation X emitted from the radiation source 130 reaches the electronic cassette 12 after passing through the subject. Thereby, electric charge is generated in each pixel 32 of the radiation detector 44.

  The cassette control unit 92 of the electronic cassette 12 controls the gate line driver 80 after the elapse of the irradiation period specified by the exposure condition after receiving the instruction information for instructing the start of exposure, and 1 line from the gate line driver 80. An ON signal is sequentially output to each gate wiring 76 one by one, and each TFT 70 connected to each gate wiring 76 is sequentially turned on line by line.

  In the radiation detector 44, when the TFTs 70 connected to the gate wirings 76 are sequentially turned on line by line, the charges accumulated in the storage capacitors 68 line by line flow out to the data wirings 78 as electric signals. The electric signal flowing out to each data wiring 78 is converted into digital image data by the signal processing unit 82 and stored in the image memory 90.

  The cassette control unit 92 transmits the image information stored in the image memory 90 to the console 18 after the photographing is completed.

  The console 18 performs various image processing such as shading correction on the received image information, and stores the image information after the image processing in the HDD 110. The image information stored in the HDD 110 is displayed on the display 100 for confirmation of the captured radiographic image, and is transferred to a server computer constituting an RIS (Radiology Information System) via a network (not shown). It is also stored in the database. Thereby, it becomes possible for a doctor to perform interpretation, diagnosis, and the like of a radiographic image taken.

The cassette control unit 92 of the electronic cassette 12 executes a non-energization state switching process for switching the energization switching unit 97 to a non-energized state when the radiographic image capturing is completed. FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the non-energized state switching process program performed by CPU92A of this is shown. The program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the memory 92B (ROM).

  In step S10 in the figure, the energization switching unit 97 is controlled to switch the energization switching unit 97 to the non-energized state, and the process ends.

  As a result, the transmission of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transmitters 56A to 56C is stopped as a result of the power from the power supply unit 96 being cut off to the connection terminal 12A.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the electronic cassette 12 is provided with the connection terminal 12A capable of supplying power to the outside, and when the electronic cassette 12 is accommodated in the cassette holder 14, the electric power from the connection terminal 12A is supplied. By receiving the connection terminal 57 and driving the ultrasonic transmitter 56 with the received electric power, an ultrasonic wave is generated from the ultrasonic transmitter 56 provided in the cassette holder 14 and the distance between the electronic cassette 12 and the radiation source is determined. Even when the calculation is performed, the handling of the cassette holder 14 can be reduced.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 8 shows an internal configuration of the electronic cassette 12 according to the second exemplary embodiment.

  The electronic cassette 12 according to the present exemplary embodiment is provided with an infrared transmission unit 150 for performing infrared communication on the side surface 41A.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the cassette holder 14 is provided with an infrared receiver 152 at a position corresponding to the infrared transmitter 150 when the electronic cassette 12 of the partition wall 52 </ b> C is stored and stored in the cassette storage area. . The infrared transmission unit 150 can receive infrared rays output from the infrared transmission unit 150 when the electronic cassette 12 is stored in the cassette storage area.

  FIG. 10 shows the main configuration of the electrical system of the electronic cassette 12 and the cassette holder 14 according to the second embodiment.

  The electronic cassette 12 includes the infrared transmission unit 150 described above. The infrared transmission unit 150 is connected to the cassette control unit 92. The cassette control unit 92 can transmit information to the cassette holder 14 via infrared rays via the infrared transmission unit 150.

  In addition, the electronic cassette 12 is not provided with the energization switching unit 97, and the power from the power supply unit 96 is supplied to the connection terminal 12A.

  In addition, the electronic cassette 12 can grasp the state of charge of the battery built in the power supply unit 96 based on the power state supplied from the power supply unit 96 by the cassette control unit 92.

  On the other hand, the cassette holder 14 includes a holder control unit 160 that controls the operation of the cassette holder 14 and the above-described infrared receiving unit 152. The infrared receiving unit 152 is connected to a holder control unit 160 that controls the operation of the entire cassette holder 14. The holder control unit 160 is also constituted by a microcomputer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 160A, a memory 160B including a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, and the like. The non-volatile storage unit 160C is provided. The holder control unit 160 can grasp the information received by the infrared reception unit 152 by infrared communication.

  The cassette holder 14 includes a battery 162 and an energization control unit 164. The energization control unit 164 is connected to the connection terminal 57, the battery 162, and the holder control unit 160. Under the control of the holder control unit 160, the wiring 59 is not energized, connected to the connection terminal 57, and connected to the battery 162. It is possible to selectively switch to a connected state.

  Next, the operation of the radiation imaging system 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.

  When taking a radiographic image, a radiographer, doctor, or other such photographer accommodates the electronic cassette 12 in the cassette holder 14. When the electronic cassette 12 is housed in the cassette holder 14, the connection terminal 12 </ b> A of the electronic cassette 12 and the connection terminal 57 of the cassette holder 14 come into contact with each other and can be energized, and from the infrared transmitter 150 of the electronic cassette 12 Infrared communication to the 14 infrared receivers 152 becomes possible. Thereby, the electric power of the power supply part 96 flows into the connection terminal 57 via the connection terminal 12A.

The cassette control unit 92 of the electronic cassette 12 grasps the charge state of the battery built in the power supply unit 96 and executes a switch instruction process for instructing switching of the energization control unit 164 according to the charge state of the battery. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the switching instruction processing program executed by the CPU 92A of the cassette control unit 92 according to the present embodiment. The program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the memory 92B (ROM), and is executed when an exposure condition is input to the operation panel 102.

  In step S50 of the figure, the state of charge of the battery built in the power supply unit 96 is grasped based on the power state supplied from the power supply unit 96.

  In the next step S52, it is determined whether or not the remaining power of the battery is equal to or less than a predetermined allowable remaining amount (for example, 20%). If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S56, and the determination is negative. Proceeds to step S54.

  In step S54, switching instruction information for instructing switching of the wiring 59 and the connection terminal 57 to the connected state is transmitted from the infrared receiving unit 152 by infrared communication, and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, in step S56, switching instruction information for instructing to switch the wiring 59 and the battery 162 to the connected state is transmitted from the infrared receiving unit 152 by infrared communication, and the process is terminated.

  The holder control unit 160 of the cassette holder 14 executes a switching process when the switching instruction information is received by the infrared receiving unit 152.

  FIG. 12 shows a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the switching processing program executed by CPU 160A of holder control unit 160 according to the present embodiment. The program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the memory 160B (ROM).

  In step S60 of the figure, it is determined whether or not the received switching instruction information is an instruction to switch the wiring 59 and the connection terminal 57 to the connected state. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S64. If the result of determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S62.

  In step S62, it is determined whether or not the received switching instruction information is an instruction to switch the wiring 59 and the battery 162 to the connected state. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S66, and negative. When it becomes determination, it transfers to step S68.

  In step S64, the energization control unit 164 is switched so that the wiring 59 and the connection terminal 57 are connected, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S66, the energization control unit 164 is switched so that the wiring 59 and the battery 162 are connected, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S68, the energization control unit 164 is switched so that the wiring 59 is in a non-energized state, assuming that it is switching instruction information for switching the wiring 59 to a non-energized state, and the process ends.

  Thereby, when the remaining amount of the battery built in the power supply unit 96 of the electronic cassette 12 is larger than the predetermined allowable remaining amount, the connection terminal 12A, the connection terminal 57, and the wiring 59 are connected from the power supply unit 96 of the electronic cassette 12. Then, supply of driving power to each of the ultrasonic transmitters 56A to 56C is started, and transmission of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transmitters 56A to 56C is started.

  On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the battery built in the power supply unit 96 of the electronic cassette 12 is equal to or less than a predetermined allowable remaining amount, the ultrasonic transmitters 56A to 56C from the battery 162 built in the cassette holder 14 through the wiring 59. Supply of driving electric power to each of these is started, and transmission of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transmitters 56A to 56C is started.

  Thereby, the radiation generator 16 determines the distance between the cassette holder 14 and the collimator 136 based on the respective signal levels of the ultrasonic waves received from the ultrasonic transmitters 56A to 56C by the ultrasonic receivers 138A and 138B, and the electronic The rotation angle of the cassette 12 is derived in real time, and the derived distance information and rotation angle information are transmitted to the console 18 in real time.

  When the radiographic image capturing is completed, the cassette control unit 92 of the electronic cassette 12 transmits switching instruction information for instructing to switch the wiring 59 to the non-energized state from the infrared receiving unit 152 by infrared communication.

  Thereby, as a result of switching the wiring 59 to the non-energized state by the energization control unit 164, transmission of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transmitters 56A to 56C is stopped.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the remaining amount of the battery built in the power supply unit 96 of the electronic cassette 12 is larger than the allowable remaining amount, the ultrasonic transmitter 56 is operated by the power supply unit 96 of the electronic cassette 12. By driving the battery, it is possible to reduce the complexity of charging the battery 162 built in the cassette holder 14. When the remaining amount of the battery built in the power supply unit 96 of the electronic cassette 12 is less than the allowable remaining amount, the ultrasonic transmitter 56 is driven by the battery 162 built in the cassette holder 14, thereby It is possible to prevent the power of the power supply unit 96 from being consumed by transmitting ultrasonic waves. Thereby, the power of the power supply unit 96 of the electronic cassette 12 is lost during the photographing operation, and the photographing can be prevented from being interrupted.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment without departing from the gist of the invention, and embodiments to which such modifications or improvements are added are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The above embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims (claims), and all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention. Is not limited. The embodiments described above include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. Even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, as long as an effect is obtained, a configuration from which these some constituent requirements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

  For example, in the second embodiment, the cassette control unit 92 of the electronic cassette 12 grasps the charge state of the battery built in the power supply unit 96 based on the power state supplied from the power supply unit 96, and Although the case where the switching instruction information for connecting the wiring 59 to the connection terminal 57 or the battery 162 is transmitted to the cassette holder 14 depending on whether or not the remaining power is less than the allowable remaining amount has been described, the present invention is limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, the holder control unit 160 of the cassette holder 14 grasps the charge state of the battery built in the power supply unit 96 based on the power state supplied from the power supply unit 96 via the connection terminal 12A and the connection terminal 57, and Switching control for connecting the wiring 59 to the connection terminal 57 or the battery 162 may be performed depending on whether or not the remaining power is equal to or less than the allowable remaining amount.

  In addition, the cassette control unit 92 of the electronic cassette 12 provides switching instruction information for instructing the wiring 59 to be switched to a connection state with the battery 162 when the electronic cassette 12 is in a power-off state or transitions to a power saving state. When the electronic cassette 12 is in an operation state in which a radiographic image is taken, the switching instruction information for instructing switching of the wiring 59 to the connection state with the connection terminal 57 is transmitted to the cassette holder 14. The holder control unit 160 of the cassette holder 14 may perform switching control for connecting the wiring 59 to the connection terminal 57 or the battery 162 in accordance with the switching instruction information from the electronic cassette 12 transmitted.

  In addition, the cassette control unit 92 of the electronic cassette 12 transmits information indicating various operation states of the electronic cassette 12 such as a power-off state, a power saving state, and an operation state for taking a radiographic image to the cassette holder 14. The holder control unit 160 of the cassette holder 14 may perform switching control for connecting the wiring 59 to the connection terminal 57 or the battery 162 based on the operation state transmitted from the electronic cassette 12.

  In the second embodiment, the case where the cassette control unit 92 of the electronic cassette 12 transmits the switching instruction information to the cassette holder 14 based on the power state supplied from the power supply unit 96 has been described. The invention is not limited to this. For example, when the photographer inputs switching instruction information for connecting the wiring 59 to the connection terminal 57 or the battery 162 from the operation panel 102 of the console 18, and the console 18 receives the switching instruction information for the operation panel 102. In addition, the switching instruction information is transmitted to the electronic cassette 12 by wireless communication, and the electronic cassette 12 transmits the switching instruction information received from the console 18 by wireless communication to the cassette holder 14 by infrared communication, and the holder control of the cassette holder 14 is performed. The unit 160 may perform switching control for connecting the wiring 59 to the connection terminal 57 or the battery 162 based on the switching instruction information transmitted from the electronic cassette 12. Thus, by transmitting the switching instruction information generated in the console 18 to the cassette holder 14 via the electronic cassette 12 by infrared communication, the cassette holder 14 is not provided with means for performing wireless communication with the console 18. Switching instruction information can be received by the holder 14. When the switching instruction information is generated in the console 18, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the cassette holder 14 is provided with a wireless communication unit 170 that performs wireless communication with the console 18, and is received from the console 18 by wireless communication. The switching instruction information is received by the cassette holder 14, and the holder control unit 160 of the cassette holder 14 performs switching control for connecting the wiring 59 to the connection terminal 57 or the battery 162 based on the switching instruction information transmitted from the console 18. Also good.

  In the second embodiment, the case where the communication between the electronic cassette 12 and the cassette holder 14 is infrared communication has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, other power-saving short-range communication such as Bluetooth or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) may be used, or wired communication may be performed at the contact terminal portion that is in contact.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the switching control of the power supply source to the ultrasonic transmitter 56 provided in the cassette holder 14 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the electronic cassette 12 Any drive device may be used as long as it is driven in cooperation with the device.

  In the above embodiment, the case where X-rays are applied as radiation has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other radiation such as γ-rays may be applied.

  In addition, the configuration of the radiation imaging system 10, the configuration of the electronic cassette 12, and the configuration of the cassette holder 14 described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and unnecessary portions may be deleted without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, a new part can be added or the connection state can be changed.

  The processing flow of the various programs described in the above embodiment is also an example, and unnecessary steps can be deleted, new steps can be added, and the processing order can be changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, they can be interchanged.

10 Radiation Imaging System 12A Connection Terminal (Power Supply Unit)
12 Electronic cassette (portable radiographic imaging device)
14 Cassette holder (container)
18 Console (control device)
44 Radiation detector 56 Ultrasonic transmitter (drive device)
57 Connection terminal (Power reception part)
92 Cassette control unit (control means)
94 Wireless communication unit (first communication means)
96 Power supply (power source)
97 Energization switching unit 150 Infrared transmission unit (second communication means)
152 Infrared receiver (third communication means)
162 Battery 164 Energization control unit (switching means)
170 Wireless communication unit (communication means)

Claims (7)

A portable radiographic imaging apparatus including a power source and a power supply unit capable of supplying power from the power source to the outside;
A storage area for storing the portable radiographic imaging device, a power reception unit for receiving power from the power supply unit in a state where the portable radiographic imaging device is stored in the storage area, and the power reception unit A storage device including a driving device that is driven in cooperation with the radiographic imaging device by being supplied with received power;
A radiation imaging system having The radiation imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the housing device further includes a battery that supplies power, and a switching unit that switches power supply to the driving device to the power receiving unit or the battery. When the remaining amount of power remaining in the power source is greater than a predetermined allowable remaining amount, power is supplied from the power source to the driving device, and the remaining amount of power stored in the power source is the allowable remaining amount. The radiation imaging system according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit that controls the switching unit so that electric power is supplied from the battery to the driving device. The control means is supplied with electric power from the battery when the portable radiographic imaging device is in a power-off state or in a power saving state, and supplied with power from the power receiving unit when in an operating state in which radiographic imaging is performed. The radiation imaging system according to claim 3, wherein the switching unit is controlled as described above. The accommodating device communicates with a control device that transmits switching instruction information for switching power supply to the power receiving unit or the battery;
The radiation imaging system according to claim 2, further comprising: a control unit that controls the switching unit based on the switching instruction information when switching instruction information is received by the communication unit. The portable radiographic imaging device is capable of communicating with a control device that communicates with a control device that transmits switching instruction information for switching power supply to the power reception unit or the battery, and the accommodating device, Further comprising second communication means for transmitting switching instruction information obtained by communication by the first communication means to the accommodation device;
The accommodating device further includes a third communication unit that communicates with the second communication unit, and a control unit that controls the switching unit based on the switch instruction information when the switching instruction information is received by the third communication unit. The radiation imaging system according to claim 2. The radiographic imaging according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the driving device is a distance measuring device that measures a distance from the radiation source of the radiographic imaging device in a state of being held in the accommodating device. system.

Images