JPH11160821A - Radiograph reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent light from being leaked even when cassettes are not set all the set positions by setting plural cassettes, taking out a stimulable phosphor plate from any cassette at the set position and reading a radiograph recorded on the plate. SOLUTION: This reader is provided with a cassette stacker 3 provided with plural cassette chambers in which the cassette 9 capable of housing the plate-like stimulable phosphor plate on which the radiograph is recorded is set by inserting at least a part of the cassette 9, and a reader main body 2 reading the radiograph recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate by taking out the plate from the cassette 9 set in any cassette chamber of the stacker 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cassette containing a stimulable phosphor plate in the form of a flat X-ray film.
The present invention relates to a radiation image reading apparatus that takes out a stimulable phosphor plate and reads a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A radiographic image is obtained by taking out a stimulable phosphor plate from a portable cassette containing a flat stimulable phosphor plate radiographed therein and reading a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate. A reading device has been conventionally proposed.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-122946 discloses that a plurality of cassettes accommodating a flat stimulable phosphor plate radiographed by X-rays can be set, and a plurality of cassettes set in the cassette stacker can be simultaneously and sequentially. A cassette stacker that can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the stimulable phosphor plate, and a plate extraction unit that horizontally removes the stimulable phosphor plate from the cassette at a predetermined position of the cassette stacker; An image reading unit that reads a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate extracted by the plate extraction unit; and an afterimage remaining on the stimulable phosphor plate from which the radiation image is read by the image reading unit is erased. And an erasing unit for performing the stimulable phosphor from the cassette at a predetermined position of the cassette stacker. Rate radiographic image reading apparatus plate opening is provided for taking out is described.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-68765 discloses that
A plurality of cassettes can be set. From any of the set cassettes, the stimulable phosphor sheet is taken out at the set position, and the radiation image recorded on the taken out stimulable phosphor sheet is read. A radiation image reading device is described.

[0005]

However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-1
According to Japanese Patent No. 22946, the stimulable phosphor plate can be taken out only from the cassette at a predetermined position of the cassette stacker. It takes a lot of time.

[0006] In addition, simply as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-68765, it is necessary to provide an opening for taking out the stimulable phosphor plate at each set position. If is not set, light leaks from this opening, energy is released before the radiation image stored and recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate is read, or light leakage becomes noise, and the image is read. There is a problem that the radiographic image has poor image quality.

An object of the present invention has been made in view of these problems, and it has been made possible to set a plurality of cassettes, and from any of the set cassettes, the stimulable fluorescent light can be set at the set position. By taking out the body plate, the radiation image recorded on the taken-out stimulable phosphor plate can be read, and even if cassettes are not set at all the setting positions, by preventing light leakage. is there.

[0008]

The above object of the present invention can be attained by all the matters for specifying the invention described in the claims. Hereinafter, each claim will be described. However, items that are the same as those described in the cited items may be omitted. Note that "" and "" are added to clarify the relationship between modification and modification.

[Claim 1] "All of the following conditions 1 to 4 in which" a cassette capable of accommodating a "flat stimulable phosphor plate on which a radiation image is recorded" can be set "at least partially inserted". A cassette stacker having a plurality of `` filling cassette chambers '' and, from the cassettes set in any of the cassette chambers of the cassette stacker, taking out the stimulable phosphor plate, and taking a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate A radiation image reading apparatus comprising:

(Condition 1) A cassette opening which is an opening for inserting at least a part of the cassette, and a plate opening which is an opening on the apparatus main body side for taking out the stimulable phosphor plate from the set cassette. Are provided.

(Condition 2) A structure is provided to block the passage of light except for the cassette port and the plate port.

(Condition 3) The cassette opening is provided with an opening / closing member for shielding the cassette opening at least when the cassette is not inserted through the cassette opening.

(Condition 4) The plate opening is provided with a light shielding means for preventing light leakage from the plate opening at least when the cassette is set. The invention according to claim 1 will be described below. First, since the cassette ports are respectively provided in the plurality of cassette chambers of the cassette stacker, a plurality of cassettes can be set. Further, since the plurality of cassette chambers of the cassette stacker are each provided with the plate opening, any of the set cassettes can be used to set the stimulable phosphor plate in the set cassette chamber. Can be taken out, and the radiation image recorded on the taken-out stimulable phosphor plate can be read. The plurality of cassette chambers of the cassette stacker each have a structure that shields light from passing through except for the cassette port and the plate port, and at least the cassette is connected to the cassette port from the cassette port. When the cassette is not inserted, an opening / closing member that shields the cassette from light is provided. Therefore, when the cassette is not inserted from the cassette, light is shielded by the cassette. Further, since the plate opening is provided with a light shielding means for preventing light leakage from the plate opening at least when the cassette is set, when the cassette is set, light is shielded by the plate opening. You. Therefore, if cassettes are not inserted or set in all cassette chambers, light leakage into the apparatus main body can be prevented, and light leakage can be prevented even if cassettes are not set at all set positions. Can be prevented.

[Claim 2] "In the cassette chamber, insertion detecting means for detecting whether or not the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening, and whether or not the cassette is set in the cassette chamber." And a set detecting means for detecting, in any of the cassette chambers, the insertion detecting means detects that the cassette has been inserted from the cassette opening, and the set detecting means has 2. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when detecting that the stimulable phosphor plate is not set in the cassette chamber, removing the stimulable phosphor plate from the cassette set in the cassette stacker is prohibited. 3. When the operator inserts the cassette into the cassette chamber halfway, the cassette is inserted into the cassette chamber in any of the cassette chambers, but is not set in the cassette chamber. When the stimulable phosphor plate is taken out of any of the cassettes set in the stacker, light is leaked from a cassette room that is not set in the cassette room while the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening.

However, according to the second aspect of the present invention, while the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening,
When the cassette is not set in the cassette chamber, the insertion detecting means detects that the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening, and the set detecting means detects that the cassette is not set in the cassette chamber. Therefore, taking out the stimulable phosphor plate from the cassette set in the cassette stacker is prohibited, so that the stimulable phosphor plate is accidentally taken out and stored in the stimulable phosphor plate. Deterioration of the image quality of the radiation image being performed can be prevented.

[Claim 3] "In any of the cassette chambers, the insertion detecting means detects that the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening, and the set detecting means detects that the cassette is in the cassette chamber. 3. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an error message is displayed when it is detected that the radiation image is not set. According to the invention as set forth in claim 3, when the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening but not set in the cassette chamber, the stimulable phosphor plate is removed from the cassette set in the cassette stacker. Even if the removal is prohibited, the operator knows that the stimulable phosphor plate cannot be removed from the cassette due to the occurrence of a trouble, so that the trouble can be dealt with.

[Claim 4] "The cassette stacker is
The cassette can be set in the cassette chamber such that the surface of the stored stimulable phosphor plate is in a substantially vertical direction, and the stimulable phosphor plate is substantially removed from the cassette set in the cassette chamber. The radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the radiation image reading apparatus is taken out in a vertical direction. According to the invention described in claim 4, the cassette stacker can set the cassette in the cassette chamber so that the surface of the stimulable phosphor plate is in a substantially vertical direction. Since the stimulable phosphor plate is taken out from the set cassette in a substantially vertical direction, even if the stimulable phosphor plate having a large area can be read, the installation area can be reduced while the cassette port is provided. An opening / closing member that shields the cassette opening when at least the cassette is not set, and a light leakage from the plate opening when the cassette is set at least in the plate opening. A light-blocking member is provided to prevent small items, dust, and dirt from entering the device body through the cassette chamber. Falling can be prevented.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A stimulable phosphor plate is a plate provided with a layer containing a stimulable phosphor. The stimulable phosphor accumulates energy in accordance with the radiation transmittance distribution of the subject with respect to the amount of irradiation radiation from the radiation source to form a latent image. The stimulable phosphor is preferably a stimulable phosphor.

The stimulable phosphor plate preferably has a stimulable phosphor layer provided on a support by vapor deposition or coating. The layer of the stimulable phosphor is preferably shielded or covered by a protective member in order to prevent adverse effects or damage due to the environment.

Examples of the stimulable phosphor include, but are not limited to, the following stimulable phosphors.

[0021] [1] _{M'X · aM "X 2 · bM} '" X 5:
A stimulable phosphor represented by cA (where M 'is at least one kind of alkali metal selected from Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs. M "is B
e, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cd, Cu and N
It is at least one kind of divalent metal selected from i.
M ′ ″ is Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, S
m, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Y
It is at least one kind of trivalent metal selected from b, Lu, Al, Ga and In. X, X ₂ and X ₅ represent halogen. A is Eu, Tb, Ce, Tm, Dy, Pr, H
o, Nd, Yb, Er, Gd, Sc, Lu, Sm, Y,
It is at least one metal selected from Tl, Na, Ag, Cu and Mg. A is a numerical value in the range of 0 <a <0.5, b is a numerical value in the range of 0 ≦ b ≦ 0.5, and c is a numerical value in the range of 0 <c ≦ 0.2. A specific example is described in JP-A-61-72087.

[2] (Ba _1-xy Mg _x Ca _y ) FX: e
A stimulable phosphor represented by Eu (where X is at least one of Br and Cl, and x, y and e are respectively 0 <x + y <0.6, 10
It is a number that satisfies ⁻⁶ ≦ e ≦ 5 × 10 ⁻² . A specific example is described in JP-A-55-12143.

[3] BaFX: a stimulable phosphor represented by xCe, yA (where X is at least one of ClBr and I,
A is at least one of In, Tl, Gd, Sm and Zn, and x and y are each 0 <x ≦ 2 × 10 ⁻¹
And 0 <y <5 × 10 ⁻² . A specific example is described in JP-A-55-84389.

[4] BaSO ₄ : A _x (where A is at least one of Dy, Tb and Tm, and x is a number satisfying 0.001 ≦ x ≦ 1) Examples are described in JP-A-48-80487.

[5] SrSO ₄ : A _x (where A is at least one of Dy, Tb and Tm, and x is a number satisfying 0.001 ≦ x ≦ 1) Examples are described in JP-A-48-80489.

[6] Li ₂ O. (B ₂ O ₂ ) _x : Cu (where x is a number satisfying 2 ≦ x ≦ 3) A specific example is described in JP-A-53-39277. It is described in the gazette.

[7] Li ₂ O. (B ₂ O ₂ ) _x : Cu, Au (where x is a number satisfying 2 ≦ x ≦ 3) A specific example is disclosed in No. 47883.

[8] SrS: Ce, Sm A specific example is described in US Pat. No. 3,859,527.

[0029]

[9] SrS: Eu, Sm A specific example is described in US Pat. No. 3,859,527.

[10] La ₂ O ₂ S: Eu, Sm A specific example is described in US Pat. No. 3,859,527.

[11] (Zn _1-x Cd _x ) S: A, X (where A is at least one kind of metal selected from Cu, Ag, Au and Mn. X represents halogen. X)
Indicates a number satisfying 0 ≦ x ≦ 1. Incidentally, specific examples are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,859,527 or JP-A-55-160078.

[12] (Zn _1-x Cd _x ) S: A (where A is at least one kind of metal selected from Cu, Ag, Au, Mn and Pb. X is 0 ≦ x ≦ 1
Indicates a number that satisfies Incidentally, specific examples are described in JP-A-55-12142 or JP-A-55-160078.

[13] MO · xSiO ₂ : stimulable phosphor represented by aA (where M is at least one kind of divalent metal selected from Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn and Cd). A is E
It is at least one metal selected from u, Tb, Ce, Tm, Pb, Tl, Bi and Mn. A is 0
<A <0.5, where x is 0.5 ≦ x ≦
It is a number that satisfies 2.5. A specific example is described in JP-A-55-12142.

[14] LnOX: stimulable phosphor represented by xA (where Ln is at least one kind of trivalent metal selected from Y, La, Gd and Lu. X is selected from Cl and Br) At least one type of halogen, wherein A is T
At least one metal selected from b and Ce. X is a number satisfying 0 <x <0.1. A specific example is described in JP-A-55-12144.

[15] Stimulable phosphor represented by (Ba ₁ -xM _x ) FX: yA (where X is at least one of I, Br and Cl, and A is In, Tl , Gd, Sm and Zr, where x and y are each 0 <x <0.
6, a number satisfying 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.2. A specific example is described in JP-A-55-12143.

[16] Stimulable phosphor represented by M "FX.aA: cLn (where M" is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn and Cd
At least one type of divalent metal selected from A is BeO, MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, ZnO, A
l ₂ O ₂ , Y ₂ O ₂ , La ₂ O ₂ , Nd ₂ O ₂ , In ₂ O ₂ , Si
O ₂ , TiO ₂ , ZrO ₂ , GeO ₂ , SnO ₂ , ThO ₂ ,
It is at least one selected from Nb ₂ O ₅ and Ta ₂ O ₅ . X represents at least one halogen selected from I, Br and Cl. Ln is Eu, Tb, Ce, Tm, D
y, Pr, Ho, Nd, Yb, Er, Gd, Sc, L
u, Sm, Y, Tl, Na, Ag, Cu, and at least one metal selected from Mg. A is 0 <
a is a numerical value in the range of <0.5, and c is a numerical value in the range of 0 <c ≦ 0.2. A specific example is described in JP-A-55-160078.

[17] A stimulable phosphor represented by xM ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₃ .NX.yA (where M and N are Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba,
It is at least one kind of divalent metal selected from Zn and Cd. X represents at least one kind of halogen selected from F, Cl, Br, and I, respectively. A is Eu, T
b, Ce, Tm, Dy, Pr, Ho, Nd, Yb, E
It is at least one kind of metal selected from r, Sb, Tl, Mn and Sn. Further, x is a number satisfying 0 <x ≦ 6, and y is a number satisfying 0 ≦ y ≦ 2. A specific example is described in JP-A-59-38278.

[18] A stimulable phosphor represented by M ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₃ .yA (where M is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn and Cd
At least one type of divalent metal selected from A is Eu, Tb, Ce, Tm, Dy, Pr, Ho, Nd, Y
It is at least one metal selected from b, Er, Sb, Tl, Mn and Sn. Y is a number satisfying 0 ≦ y ≦ 2. A specific example is described in JP-A-59-38278.

[19] nReX ₃ .MAX ′ ₃ : stimulable phosphor represented by xEu (where Re is at least one selected from La, Gd, Y and Lu, and X and X ′ are F , Cl, Br and I
A is at least one alkaline earth metal selected from Ba, Sc and Ca, and x
Indicates a number satisfying 1 × 10 ⁻⁴ <x <3 × 10 ⁻¹ . n
And m are numbers satisfying 1 × 10 ⁻³ <n / m <7 × 10 ⁻¹ . A specific example is described in JP-A-59-155487.

[20] nReX ₃ · MAX ' ₃ : xEu,
Stimulable phosphor represented by ySm (where Re is at least one selected from La, Gd, Y and Lu, and X and X 'are F, Cl, Br and I
A is at least one alkaline earth metal selected from Ba, Sc and Ca, and x
And y are 1 × 10 ⁻⁴ <x <3 × 10 ⁻¹ and 1 respectively.
The number satisfies × 10 ^-4 <y <1 × 10 ^-1 . n and m
Indicates a number satisfying 1 × 10 ⁻³ <n / m <7 × 10 ⁻¹ . A specific example is described in JP-A-59-155487.

[21] MX · aMX ′ ₂ : stimulable phosphor represented by xEu (where M is at least one kind of divalent metal selected from Ca, Sr and Ba. X, X ′ Represents a halogen selected from Cl, Br and I different from each other. Also,
a is a number satisfying 0.1 ≦ a ≦ 10, and x is 1 × 10
It is a number that satisfies ⁻⁴ ≦ x ≦ 1 × 10 ⁻² . Incidentally, specific examples are described in JP-A-60-84381 and JP-A-63-27588.

[22] Stimulable phosphor represented by BaX: Eu (where X represents halogen.) A specific example is the 51st Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Applied Physics, Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Japan Society of Applied Physics (Autumn 1990 ) P. 1086.

As the stimulable phosphor, the following stimulable phosphors are particularly preferred.

[23] Rb (Br _x , I _1-x ): a stimulable phosphor represented by yTl (where x is a number satisfying 0 ≦ x ≦ 1 and y is 1 × 1)
It is a number that satisfies 0 ⁻⁶ ≦ y ≦ 1 × 10 ⁻² . [24] BaF (Br _x , I _1-x ): a stimulable phosphor represented by yEu (where x is a number satisfying 0 ≦ x ≦ 1, and y is 1 × 1)
It is a number that satisfies 0 ⁻⁴ ≦ y ≦ 1 × 10 ⁻² . In the present invention, the cassette is a portable cassette that can accommodate a flat stimulable phosphor plate on which a radiographic image is recorded, and is a portable cassette. The cassette is preferably provided with an opening, and is capable of taking out the stimulable phosphor plate on which a flat radiation image is recorded from the opening.

The cassette stacker can set the cassette. Then, in the present invention, the apparatus main body takes out the stimulable phosphor plate from the cassette set in any of the cassette chambers of the cassette stacker, and the radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate Is to read.

The cassette stacker has a plurality of cassette chambers satisfying all of the following conditions 1 to 4 in which at least a part of the above-mentioned cassette can be inserted and set.

(Condition 1) A cassette port which is an opening for inserting at least a part of the cassette, and a plate port which is an opening on the apparatus main body side for taking out the stimulable phosphor plate from the set cassette. Are provided.

(Condition 2) Except for the cassette port and the plate port, the structure blocks light from passing through.

(Condition 3) The cassette opening is provided with an opening / closing member for shielding the cassette opening at least when the cassette is not inserted through the cassette opening.

(Condition 4) The plate opening is provided with a light blocking means for preventing light leakage from the plate opening at least when the cassette is set.

(Condition 2) As a mode of blocking light passing except for the cassette port and the plate port, as shown in the embodiment, an outer wall common to a plurality of cassette chambers is adjacent to the outer wall. With a partition wall provided between the cassette chambers, the cassette chamber has a structure in which the passage of light is blocked except for the cassette port and the plate port, and is separately provided for each cassette chamber. The outer wall may include, but is not limited to, a mode in which the cassette chamber is configured to block the passage of light except for the cassette port and the plate port.

In the (condition 3), the opening / closing member provided at the cassette opening for shielding the cassette opening when at least the cassette is not inserted from the cassette opening is as shown in the embodiment. A door member urged to be closed by an elastic member such as a spring, a sliding door member urged to be closed by an elastic member such as a spring, and a shutter, but are not limited thereto.

Further, (condition 4), as a light shielding means provided at the plate opening, which prevents light leakage from the plate opening when at least the cassette is set, a cassette set in a cassette chamber is provided. A movable member that moves so as to surround the cassette prevents light leakage from the plate opening, and a flexible member that covers the entire plate opening is provided so that a cassette can be set in a cassette chamber. There are, but are not limited to, those that prevent light leakage from the plate opening and those that prevent light leakage from the plate opening by a member that covers the cassette set in the cassette chamber.

Then, in the cassette chamber,
It is preferable that an insertion detection unit that detects whether the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening be provided, and a set detection unit that detects whether the cassette is set in the cassette chamber.

As shown in the embodiment, the insertion detecting means can be opened to the inside of the set room, and when the door member is urged to be closed by an elastic member such as a spring, the door member is opened. By detecting whether or not the cassette is inserted, it is preferable to detect whether or not the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening, since the structure is simple, and it is preferable from the viewpoint of the effect of the present invention, but it is not limited thereto. For example, with a photoelectric sensor or a micro switch, etc., a mode for directly detecting whether or not the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening, or an operation of the operation button when the opening / closing member is opened by operating the operation button , The cassette is indirectly detected as to whether or not the cassette is inserted through the cassette opening.

Further, as shown in the embodiment, when any information is recorded optically readable at a predetermined position of the cassette, as shown in the embodiment, this information of the cassette set in the cassette room is used. An information reading means for optically reading is provided, and a mode for detecting whether or not the cassette is set in the cassette chamber by whether or not the information reading means can read this information of the cassette is a predetermined form of the cassette. The information recorded at the position can be read optically, and the mechanism is simplified, so it is preferable, but not limited to this. For example, the two communication terminals provided at predetermined positions in the cassette chamber may be used. The electric communication unit provided at a predetermined position of the cassette corresponding to the position of the electric communication terminal is set. Such as in the form of Tsu Te detects whether it is set in the cassette chamber and the like.

In any one of the cassette chambers, the insertion detecting means detects that the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening, and the set detecting means sets the cassette in the cassette chamber. It is preferable to prohibit taking out the stimulable phosphor plate from the cassette set in the cassette stacker when it is detected that there is no stimulable phosphor plate.

As a mode for prohibiting taking out the stimulable phosphor plate from the cassette set in the cassette stacker, simply not taking out the stimulable phosphor plate from the cassette set in the cassette stacker is adopted. As described above, the control flow may be changed, or the control flow is not changed, and when a control signal for removing the stimulable phosphor plate from the cassette set in the cassette stacker is output, the control flow is cut off. Or a mode having a device mechanism for mechanically prohibiting removal of the stimulable phosphor plate from the cassette set in the cassette stacker regardless of a control signal. And
Other forms may be used.

In one of the cassette chambers, the insertion detecting means detects that the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening, and the set detecting means sets the cassette in the cassette chamber. If it is detected that there is no error, it is preferable to display an error.

Examples of the form of error display include a form in which an error message or the like is displayed on a display element such as an LED light emitting element or a monitor, a form in which an error is indicated by a sound, and a form in which a rotary light is used. However, it is not limited to these.

Preferably, the error display is an error display peculiar to the fact that the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening, but is not set in the cassette room, whereby the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening. While it is inserted, it is immediately known that the cassette has not been set in the cassette chamber, and a prompt response can be taken.

The cassette stacker can set the cassette in the cassette chamber so that the surface of the stimulable phosphor plate accommodated in the cassette stacker is substantially vertical, and the cassette stacker is set in the cassette chamber. Preferably, the stimulable phosphor plate is taken out of the cassette in a vertical direction.

The cassette stacker can be set in the cassette stacker in such a manner that the cassette can be set in the cassette chamber so that the surface of the stimulable phosphor plate accommodated in the cassette stacker is substantially vertical. The surfaces of the stimulable phosphor plates accommodated in the plurality of cassettes are substantially parallel to each other,
It is preferable in various aspects such as a simple mechanism and easy downsizing, but is not limited thereto.

Further, it is preferable that a plate holding portion capable of holding the stimulable phosphor plate taken out of the cassette set in the cassette stacker is provided. Then, the plate holding unit moves at least in a direction perpendicular to the stimulable phosphor plate surface,
From the cassettes set in any of the cassette chambers, it is preferable that the stimulable phosphor plate contained in the cassette can be taken out and held, and furthermore, It is preferable that the cassette which is held can be accommodated in any of the cassettes set therein. The movement of the plate holding unit at least in the direction perpendicular to the stimulable phosphor plate surface may be any movement having a movement component in the direction perpendicular to the stimulable phosphor plate surface. Not only a form moving in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the stimulable phosphor plate but also a movement in an oblique direction having a moving component in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the stimulable phosphor plate may be used.

Further, it is preferable that an image reading section for reading a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate held by the plate holding section is provided. The image reading unit is not limited to a form that reads a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate while the stimulable phosphor plate is held by the plate holding unit,
If the stimulable phosphor plate is held by the plate holding unit, the radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate is read while the stimulable phosphor plate is not held by the plate holding unit. It may be of the form.

The image reading section is preferably fixed, but may be of a type in which the image reading section moves. The image reading unit preferably reads a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate by laser scanning, but the radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate by another method is preferably used. May be read.

As a mode in which the image reading section reads the radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate by laser scanning, main scanning by laser light is performed in the vertical direction,
The image scanning unit and the stimulable phosphor plate are relatively moved in the horizontal direction to perform sub-scanning, or the main scanning with laser light is performed in the horizontal direction, and the image reading unit and the stimulable phosphor plate are vertically moved. There is a form of sub-scanning by relatively moving in the direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

When the stimulable phosphor plate from which the radiation image has been read by the image reading section is accommodated in the cassette set in the cassette stacker, the residual image remaining on the stimulable phosphor plate is erased. It is preferable to have an erasing section that performs the erasing. And it is preferable that the erasing section is provided on the plate holding section. The form in which the erasing section is attached to the plate holding section is a form in which the erasing section is movably provided in the plate holding section even when the erasing section is fixed to the plate holding section. Is also good.

The light source of the erasing section is preferably a linear light source such as a light emitting diode, a halogen lamp, a fluorescent lamp, and a xenon lamp, but is not limited thereto. As the light source of the erasing unit, among these light sources, a light emitting diode, a halogen lamp, a fluorescent lamp, and a xenon lamp are preferable. It is preferable from the viewpoint of. The material of such a light emitting diode is GaP, GaAsP / GaP.
And GaAlAs are preferable examples, but are not limited thereto. Then, a light emitting diode having an emission wavelength of 600 nm or more and 770 nm or less is preferable.

[0070]

EXAMPLES Examples of specific examples according to the present invention will be shown below as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. Also,
Although the examples include certain expressions for terms and the like, they show preferred examples of the present invention, and do not limit the meaning or technical scope of the terms of the present invention.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view of the radiation image reading apparatus of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a control block diagram, FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view, and a schematic perspective view (using a perspective method). The radiation image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a certain FIG.

In this embodiment, the lateral direction of the apparatus main body 2 of the radiation image reading apparatus is called an X direction, and the depth direction of the apparatus main body 2 of the radiation image reading apparatus is called a Y direction. Therefore, the X direction and the Y direction are orthogonal to each other in the horizontal plane.
And the angle between the X and Y directions is a right angle.

The radiation image reading apparatus of this embodiment takes out the stimulable phosphor plate 12 from the portable cassette 9 containing the flat X-ray stimulable phosphor plate 12 and stores the stimulable phosphor plate. The radiation image reading device reads a radiation image recorded on the plate 12. The apparatus main body 2 of the radiation image reading apparatus of this embodiment includes a plate holding unit 4, an image reading unit 5, a system control unit 6, and a power supply unit 8.

The cassette stacker 3 holds a cassette 9 containing a flat stimulable phosphor plate 12 which has been subjected to X-ray photography.
Can be set in a row so that the positions of the stimulable phosphor plates 12 in the X direction are different from each other so that the stored stimulable phosphor plate 12 is substantially parallel to the plane formed by the vertical direction and the Y direction. The cassette stacker 3 takes out the stimulable phosphor plate 12 from the cassette 9 set in the cassette stacker 3 or stores the stimulable phosphor plate 12 in the cassette 9 set in the cassette stacker 3 based on a control signal from the system controller 6. It is driven so that the luminescent phosphor plate 12 can be accommodated.

The plate holding section 4 holds the cassette stacker 3
It is possible to take out and hold the stimulable phosphor plate 12 in a substantially vertical direction from any of the cassettes 9 set in the cassette. Then, based on a control signal from the system control unit 6, the plate holding unit 4 takes out the stimulable phosphor plate 12 from the cassette 9 set in the cassette stacker 3 or transfers the stimulable phosphor plate 12 to the cassette 9 set in the cassette stacker 3. The stimulable phosphor plate 12 is driven to be accommodated or moved in the X direction.

The image reading section 5 has a sub-scanning section 50 and a main scanning section 51. The main scanning section 51 performs main scanning MS by laser light in the vertical direction, and reads a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate 12 by laser scanning. The main scanning unit 51 has a fixed position in the X direction, and the sub-scanning unit 50 has a main scanning unit 5.
1 is moved in the Y direction to perform sub-scanning.

The system control unit 6 includes a main CPU 60,
The reading control unit 61, the system disk 62, the image disk 63, and the interface board (hereinafter, I / F)
Abbreviated as board. ) 65. And the main CPU
A CRT 70 of the operation unit 7 and a touch panel 71
And the read control unit 61 of the system control unit 6, the system disk 62, the image disk 63, and the I / F board 65.
And are connected.

The system disk 62 has a main CP
A system program for U60 to perform overall control, image processing, image transmission control, and image management is stored. The image disk 63 stores an image sent from the reading control unit 61 or stores an image that has been subjected to image processing.

The main CPU 60 stores the image sent from the reading control unit 61 and the processed image on the image disk 63 while developing the system program stored in the system disk 62 in the internal memory. While performing the reading and the reading of the image stored in the image disk 63, overall control, image processing, image transmission, and image management are performed.

The reading control unit 61 includes a cassette stacker 3, a plate holding unit 4, a sub-scanning unit 50, and a main scanning unit 5.
1 to cause the radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate 12 to be read by laser scanning.
1 receives an image signal and reads the read image to the main C
Send to PU60.

The main CPU 60 is connected via an I / F board 65 to a host computer 66, a diagnostic device 67 and a patient registration terminal 68 outside the device main body 2. Then, the main CPU 60 controls the I / F
The image is transmitted to the host computer 66, the diagnostic device 67, and the patient registration terminal 68 via the board 65.

The operation unit 7 has a CRT 70 and a touch panel 71. The CRT 70 displays a display image transmitted from the main CPU 60, and
Sends to the main CPU 60 information relating to an instruction input entered by being touched by the operator.

The main CPU 60 performs overall control, image processing, image transmission, and image management based on the information on the instruction input sent from the touch panel 71 of the operation unit 7, and displays necessary information on the CRT 70 as appropriate. For this purpose, the display image is transmitted to the CRT 70.

When an instruction input including an instruction for designating one of the cassettes 9 set in the cassette stacker 3 is input from the operation unit 7, the system control unit 6 causes the plate holding unit 4 to switch from the operation unit 7. In such a manner that the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is taken out from the cassette 9 specified by the instruction input in the substantially vertical direction and held, and the image reading unit 5 reads the radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate 12 by laser scanning. And the image reading unit 5 that controls the plate holding unit 4 that holds the stimulable phosphor plate 12.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, first, the image reading unit 5 firstly (S1) reads the stimulable fluorescent light from the cassette 9 designated by the instruction input from the operation unit 7 to the plate holding unit 4. The body plate 12 is moved in the X direction to a predetermined takeout position in the X direction where the body plate 12 can be taken out in a substantially vertical direction. And
Secondly (S2), at this predetermined take-out position in the X direction, the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is taken out from the cassette 9 designated by the instruction input from the operation unit 7 in a substantially vertical direction and held. Then, thirdly (S3), the plate holding unit 4 is moved at least in the X direction and stopped at a predetermined reading position in the X direction. Then, in the fourth (S4), the plate holding unit 4 holding the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is fixed, and the image reading unit 5 is moved in the Y direction, so that the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is sub-scanned. By doing so, the image reading unit 5 reads a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate 12 held by the plate holding unit 4.

Thus, the plate holding section 4 can take out the stimulable phosphor plate 12 from any cassette 9 set in the cassette stacker 3 in a substantially vertical direction and hold the stimulable phosphor plate 12. Even if the luminescent phosphor plate 12 can be read, the installation area can be reduced. Further, it is technically easy to set at a predetermined relative position required for laser scanning.

Further, since the image reading section 5 is fixed, it is easy to stably perform high-precision image reading for a long period of time. At the time of image reading, the image reading unit 5 is fixed, and the sub-scan is performed by relatively moving the plate holding unit 4 in the Y direction. Stable sub-scanning can be performed, and the read image can be easily made good.

Further, there is no need to bend and transport the stimulable phosphor plate 12, and only one image reading section 5 is required.

Then, in the fifth (S5), when the image reading unit 5 finishes reading the radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate 12 held in the plate holding unit 4, the plate holding unit 4 A predetermined X that allows the stimulable phosphor plate 12 to be transported and accommodated in a substantially vertical direction in the cassette 9 set in the cassette stacker 3 in which the held stimulable phosphor plate 12 was accommodated.
It moves in the X direction to the accommodation position in the direction. Then, in the sixth (S6), the stimulable phosphor plate 12 holding the radiation image read by the image reading unit 5 is placed on the cassette 9 in which the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is accommodated in a substantially vertical direction. The residual image remaining on the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is erased by the erasing unit 13 while being conveyed to and stored in the storage phosphor plate 12.

As a result, one cassette holding unit 4 can accommodate the taken-out stimulable phosphor plate 12 in any cassette 9 set in the cassette stacker 3, thereby simplifying the structure.

Then, at the upper end of the plate holding portion 4,
An erasing unit 13 is provided. Then, the plate holding unit 4 moves the stimulable phosphor plate 12 holding the radiation image read by the image reading unit 5 to the cassette 9 in which the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is stored in a substantially vertical direction. When transported and accommodated, the erasing section 13 irradiates the stimulable phosphor plate 12 with erasing light, so that an afterimage remaining on the stimulable phosphor plate 12 from which the radiation image has been read by the image reading section 5. To delete. As a result, since the stimulable phosphor plate 12 can be accommodated in the cassette 9 and the residual image remaining on the stimulable phosphor plate 12 can be erased at the same time, the cycle time for image reading can be shortened. it can.

Next, regarding the cassette 9 used in the radiation image reading apparatus, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the cassette 9 and FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state where the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is accommodated in the cassette 9. 7 is a side view of the cassette 9, FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a state where the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is housed in the cassette 9, and a state where the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is pulled out from the cassette 9. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9 which is a schematic perspective view.

The cassette 9 includes case halves 900 and 901.
And the periphery is tightened with screws 902 to be integrated. An opening 903 is formed on one side of the cassette 9,
The stimulable phosphor plate 12 can be pulled out from the opening 903.

Further, protrusions 920 and 921 are provided near the openings 903 of the case halves 900 and 901 respectively. As described later, this is to allow the radiation image reading device to be set at a predetermined vertical position.

The stimulable phosphor plate 12 has a layer containing a stimulable phosphor, and the stimulable phosphor has an energy according to the radiation transmittance distribution of the subject with respect to the irradiation radiation amount from the radiation source. Is a kind of stimulable phosphor that forms a latent image by accumulating light. The stimulable phosphor plate 12 is provided with a stimulable phosphor layer by vapor deposition. The stimulable phosphor layer is shielded by a protective member to prevent adverse effects and damage due to the environment. As the stimulable phosphor, a stimulable phosphor whose material is RbBr: Tl is used.

The stimulable phosphor plate 12 is fixed to a rigid tray 904 inside the cassette 9, and a pair of locking pins 905 are provided on the tray 904 corresponding to portions other than the area where an image is recorded. Are penetrated through the stimulable phosphor plate 12. A pair of locking pins 905 have guide holes 906 formed in a guide plate 906.
a is provided slidably, and a cap 907 that covers the opening is attached to the guide plate 906.

A lock mechanism 908 is built in the cap 907, and the lock of the lock mechanism 908 can be released from the lock hole 909. Also, the cap 907 has
A pair of levers 910 are provided.
0, the cap 907 is opened and closed, and the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is pulled out of the cassette 9 together with the tray 904,
Or it is stored.

At a predetermined information recording position of the cassette 9, an identification sticker 911 is stuck.
1, identification information of white and black is recorded. By detecting the identification information of the identification sticker 911, the type and size of the stimulable phosphor plate 12 housed in the cassette 9 are detected, and at the same time, the cassette stacker 3 is opened. It is detected whether or not a cassette has been set in each cassette chamber.

The indication of the upper and lower grid directions of the cassette 9 and the discrimination of the front and back sides are made by the indication marks 912 of the upper and lower directions. You may do so.

The cassette 9 includes a case half 900.
A medical record clip 913 is provided at the center, and a concave portion 900a is formed in the case half 900 around the medical record clip 913. The medical record and the like are held by the concave portion 900a and the medical record clip 913.

Then, the cassette stacker 3 is connected to the cassette stacker 3 shown in FIGS.
And the operator inserts the cassette 9 from the front of the apparatus main body 2 in a state where the long side direction of the cassette 9 is horizontal and the cassette 9 is set upright in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. And five set parts 300
have. An operation unit 7 is arranged on the upper left side of the radiation image reading apparatus, and the cassette 9 can be set on the cassette stacker 3 while performing an operation by the operation unit 7, so that the operation is easy.

Next, regarding the cassette stacker 3 of the radiation image reading apparatus, FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of the cassette stacker, and FIG. 1 is a right side sectional view of the cassette stacker.
13, near the plate opening of the cassette stacker
12 which is a top end view of the HH section of FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 13 which is an end view on the back side of the -S section and FIG. 14 which is an end view on the front side of the SS section in FIG.

Each set section 300 is provided with a guide section 3
1 and a cassette chamber 302. The guide portion 301 has a groove shape, extends toward the cassette chamber 302, and is formed so as to guide the cassette 9 to the cassette chamber 302. In each of the cassette chambers 302, the cassette 9 can be set such that the surface of the stimulable phosphor plate 12 housed in the cassette 9 is in the vertical direction. The surfaces of the stimulable phosphor plates 12 housed in the cassettes 9 set in the respective cassette chambers 302 are held in parallel with a certain gap therebetween.

Each of the cassette chambers 302 has
A cassette opening 320 as an opening for inserting at least a part of the cassette 9 and a plate opening 340 as an opening on the apparatus main body 2 side for taking out the stimulable phosphor plate 12 from the set cassette 9 are provided. ing.

The cassette chamber 302 is illuminated by the outer wall 310 common to the plurality of cassette chambers 302 and the partition wall 311 provided between the adjacent cassette chambers 302 except for the cassette opening 320 and the plate opening 340. It is a structure that blocks passage.

Each of the cassette openings 320 is provided with a door member 330 as an opening / closing member for shielding the cassette opening 320 from light when the cassette 9 is not inserted through the cassette opening 320. The door member 330 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, it can be opened inside the cassette chamber 302 and is urged to close by a helical spring 333.

Further, each of the plate openings 340 has
When the cassette 9 is set, as a light shielding member for preventing light leakage from the plate opening 340 to the inside of the apparatus main body 2,
The following are provided:

First, guide rails 341 are provided on the partition walls 311 on both sides of the cassette chamber 302, and the projections 920 and 921 provided on the cassette 9 are engaged with the guide rails 341. Can be set at a predetermined vertical position, and light leakage from both sides in the thickness direction of the cassette 9 is prevented.

Secondly, the wall 343 on the near side in the Y direction of the plate opening 340 is a reference plane. When the cassette 9 is set, it is pressed against the wall 343 on the near side in the Y direction to set the near side of the cassette 9. By doing so, while the cassette 9 is set at a predetermined position in the Y direction, light leakage from the front side (operator side) in the Y direction of the cassette 9 is prevented.

Third, since the chain body 350 urged forward in the Y direction by the weight of the chain body 350 guided and moved by the guide rail 341, the chain body 350 is moved rearward in the Y direction of the set cassette 9. The chain body 350 comes into close contact with the cassette body 9 and presses the cassette 9 toward the near side in the Y direction, while preventing light leakage from the back side in the Y direction from the cassette 9.

Although the guide rail 341 is provided horizontally in the cassette chamber 302,
It extends to the chain chamber 355 provided on the back side in the Y direction than 2, and gradually curves in the chain chamber 355 and extends in the vertical direction.

Each unit of the chain body 350 is provided with a light-shielding plate 353 and a rotatable light-shielding plate 353 so that there is almost no rotational friction.
A guide roller 351 having little rotational friction so as to be guided and moved, and a pin mechanism 3 having little rotational friction for rotatably connecting to a light shielding plate 353 of an adjacent unit.
52 are provided, whereby the chain body 350 is urged forward by the weight of the chain body 350 in the Y direction.

A stopper 342 in the middle of the guide rail 341 prevents the front end of the chain body 350 from coming forward in the Y direction from a predetermined position in the Y direction. Accordingly, when the cassette 9 is set, the chain member 350 is obliquely inserted, and the chain member 350 is pushed obliquely in the Y direction by preventing the chain member 350 from being set. Can be.

Thus, light leakage from the plate opening 340 is prevented.

As described above, there are a plurality of cassette chambers 302 in which the cassette 9 can be set, and the cassette chambers 302 each have a cassette opening 320 for opening and removing the cassette 9 and a cassette 9 from which the cassette 9 is set. A plate port 340, which is an opening on the apparatus main body side, for taking out the luminescent phosphor plate 12, is provided, so that a plurality of cassettes 9 can be set, and the cassette is set from any of the set cassettes 9. In the cassette chamber 302, the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is taken out, and the radiation image recorded on the taken-out stimulable phosphor plate 12 can be read.

The plurality of cassette chambers 302 of the cassette stacker 3 are structured so as to block the passage of light except for the cassette opening 320 and the plate opening 340. The cassette 9 is provided with the cassette 9 in the cassette opening 320. 3
When the cassette 9 is not inserted from the cassette opening 320, light is shielded by the cassette opening 320 when the cassette 9 is not inserted from the cassette opening 320.

Further, the cassette 9 is inserted into the plate opening 340.
When light is set, the above-described light shielding means for preventing light leakage from the plate port 340 is provided.
When the cassette 9 is set, the light is shielded by the plate opening 340.

Therefore, if the cassettes 9 are not inserted or set in all the cassette chambers 302, it is possible to prevent light from leaking into the apparatus main body 2, so that the cassettes 9 can be set at all the set positions. Even if it is not performed, light leakage can be prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent small articles, dust, dust, and the like from dropping into the apparatus main body 2 through the cassette chamber 302.

As shown in FIG. 13, a conductive member 331 is provided on the surface of the end of the door member 330 of each cassette opening 320 of the cassette chamber 302.
As shown in FIG. 14, electrodes 326 and 327 are provided at a position corresponding to the conductive member 331 of the door member 330 in the member 325 around the cassette opening 320, and the door member 33 is provided.
When 0 closes the cassette opening 320, a current flows between the electrode 326 and the electrode 327 via the conductive member 331. Then, the cassette stacker 3 detects whether or not the door member 330 is open by detecting that the current flows, and detects whether or not the door member 330 is open. It is to detect whether or not it is inserted through the cassette opening 320. This allows
The structure is simple, and the effects of the present invention are favorably exhibited.

Each cassette room 3 of the cassette stacker 3
An optical reading member 360 is provided at a position corresponding to a predetermined information recording position of the cassette 9 in the inside 02. The optical reading member 360 optically reads identification information recorded on an identification sticker 911 attached to a predetermined information recording position of the cassette 9. Then, this optical reading member 360 is attached to the cassette 9 by the identification seal 91.
When the identification information recorded on the cassette 1 is read, the cassette stacker controller 31 determines that the cassette 9 has been set, and the optical reading member 360 has the identification recorded on the identification seal 911 attached to the cassette 9. When the information cannot be read, the cassette stacker controller 31 determines that the cassette 9 is not set, and the cassette stacker 3 detects whether the cassette 9 is set in the cassette room 302.

Further, the cassette stacker 3 detects the type and size of the stimulable phosphor plate 12 contained in the cassette 9 based on the identification information recorded on the identification sticker 911 read by the optical reading member 360.

Then, in the cassette stacker 3, the cassette 9 is inserted into the cassette opening 320 in one of the cassette chambers 302.
When the cassette stacker control unit 31 detects that the cassette 9 has not been set in the cassette chamber 302, the reading control unit 61 detects that the cassette 9 has been set in the cassette stacker 3. The main CPU 60 causes the CRT 70 to display an error while performing control to prohibit the taking out of the stimulable phosphor plate 12 from the CRT 70.

As a result, the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is erroneously taken out, the light hits the stimulable phosphor plate 12 before the radiation image is read, and the radiation accumulated and recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is read. Deterioration of image quality can be prevented.

Further, even if prohibition of taking out the stimulable phosphor plate 12 from the cassette 9 set in the cassette stacker 3 is prohibited, the operator sees the CRT 70, and the trouble occurs. Since it is found that the luminescent phosphor plate 12 cannot be taken out,
The operator can deal with this trouble.

When all the stimulable phosphor plates 12 in the radiation image reading apparatus are accommodated in the cassette 9, the cassette 9 can be removed. An LED lamp 304 is provided to indicate that an image is being read so that the cassette 9 is not accidentally pulled out when the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is exposed in the radiation image reading apparatus.

Now, regarding the plate holding section 4 provided in the apparatus main body 2, FIG. 15 is a schematic right side sectional view of the radiation image reading apparatus, and FIG. 1 is a front view of the plate holding section.
6, detailed description will be given based on FIG. 17 which is a side view of the cassette linch and FIG. 18 which is a plan view of the cassette linch.

[0127] The support frame 40 is
0 is supported by guide rails 401 and 402 arranged vertically. The guide rails 401 and 402 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the cassette 9 stored in the cassette stacker 3. The lower end of the support frame 400 is fixed to a transport belt 403 arranged below,
The transport belt 403 is driven by a transport motor 404, whereby the support frame 400 is
Move along 1,402.

At the upper end of the support frame 400, the erasing section 13 is attached. The light source of the erasing unit 13 is a light emitting diode having a light emission wavelength of 660 nm made of GaAlAs, and the moving speed of the stimulable phosphor plate 12 during erasing is 25 mm / sec. It can be changed according to image recording. The light source of the erasing unit 13 is turned on to irradiate the stimulable phosphor plate 12 with erasing light to erase an afterimage remaining on the stimulable phosphor plate 12 from which the image reading unit 5 has read the radiation image. That is, the radiation energy of the stimulable phosphor plate 12 remaining after the scanning by the laser beam is emitted.

The support frame 400 is provided with a guide shaft 410 in a vertical direction, and a cassette clinch 411 is attached to the guide shaft 410 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The cassette linch 411 is attached to a transport belt 405 arranged vertically, and the transport belt 405 is driven by a transport motor 406 arranged below the support frame 400, whereby the cassette linch 411 moves along the guide shaft 410. Move up and down. Further, the stimulable phosphor plate 1 is provided on the support frame 400.
A holding roller 407 for preventing the tilting of the stimulable phosphor plate 2 is provided to hold an end of the stimulable phosphor plate 12 outside the image recording area.

As shown in FIG. 17, the cassette lynch 411 has a pair of arms 413 provided inside a support 412 so as to be rotatable about a support pin 414 as a fulcrum. The claw portion 413a provided at the tip of the pair of arms 413 is provided with a pair of levers 9 provided on the cap 907 of the cassette 9.
The pair of arms 413 are urged by springs 417 such that the base 413b is always in contact with the pin 415a of the cam 415.

The cam 415 is rotated by the drive motor 416. The pin 415a pushes the base 413b by the rotation of the cam 415, and the pair of arms 413 is opened and closed.

A rotary disk 421 is provided on the rotary shaft 420 of the drive motor 416. The notch 421 a formed in the rotary disk 421 detects the rotation speed of the drive motor 416 at a timing crossing the photocoupler 422, and a pair of arms is provided. 4
13 is controlled.

The support 4 of the cassette lynch 411
12 is provided with a pair of unlocking rods 430 for unlocking the lock mechanism 908 of the cap 907. The pair of unlocking rods 430 is
12, is slidably supported by a plate 431, and a solenoid 432 is connected to one of the unlocking rods 430. The unlocking rod 430 is connected to the other unlocking rod 430 by a connecting lever 433 and operates in conjunction therewith. .

The pair of unlocking rods 430 is always urged to the initial position by the spring 434, and the support 41 is moved at the position where the cassette clinch 411 moves upward.
2 is applied to the cap 907 of the cassette 9 and the solenoid 432 is moved to release the pair of locks.
0 protrudes into the lock hole 909 of the cap 907 to release the lock of the lock mechanism 908.

By releasing the lock of the lock mechanism 908, the pair of arms 413 is closed, and the claw portion 413a is
07 is engaged with a pair of levers 910, and in this state, the cassette phosphor 411 is moved downward to pull out the stimulable phosphor plate 12 from the cassette 9 and hold the stimulable phosphor plate 12 drawn out by the cassette 411. The support frame 400 is moved and transported to the sub-scanning section 50 while keeping the state.

When the image reading of the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is completed, the support frame 400 is moved in the opposite direction to return to a predetermined position, and the cassette lynch 411 is moved upward to move the stimulable phosphor plate 12 to the cassette 9. Let it be stored. At this time, when the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is stored in the cassette 9 and the cap 907 is closed without operating the pair of unlocking rods 430, the lock mechanism automatically locks the cap 907.

The image reading section 5 is built in the apparatus main body 2 of the radiation image reading apparatus, and is arranged below the operation section 7. Sub-scanning unit 50 provided in image reading unit 5
Transports the main scanning unit 51 in the sub-scanning direction.

The sub-scanning section 50 is a schematic sectional view on the left side of the apparatus main body 2 of the radiation image reading apparatus shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, a guide shaft 500 in a direction facing the stimulable phosphor plate 12 and a ball screw 501 are arranged in parallel. The guide shaft 500 is located above, and the ball screw 501 is located below. The main scanning unit 51 is held vertically by the guide shaft 500 and the ball screw 501 and can be moved horizontally.

The ball screw 501 is provided with a direct drive motor 502.
02 drives the ball screw 501 to move the main scanning unit 51 in the sub-scanning direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main scanning section 51 includes a laser beam generating section 510, a polygon mirror 511,
Lens, reflection mirror 513, light receiving section 51 constituting
4 and the like are integrally formed. Laser beam generator 51
0 has a gas laser, a solid-state laser, a semiconductor laser or the like as a light source. The laser beam generator 510 generates a laser beam whose emission intensity is forced as excitation light.

The laser beam reaches the polygon mirror 511 via the optical system, is deflected there, and is condensed by the fθ lens constituting the condensing body 512, and is reflected by the reflecting mirror 51.
The light path is deflected by 3 and is guided to the stimulable phosphor plate 12 as a scanning light for stimulating excitation. An image is read by receiving photostimulated light emitted by the stackable phosphor plate 12 scanned by the laser beam by the light receiving unit 514. Light receiving section 51
Reference numeral 4 denotes the photostimulated luminescence emitted by the stackable phosphor plate 12, which is condensed by a flat light condensing plate, is incident on a long photomultiplier, and is photoelectrically converted into an electric signal corresponding to the incident light. The output current from the long photomultiplier is converted into a voltage signal by a current / voltage converter (not shown) inside the reading control unit 61, amplified by an amplifier (not shown), and then converted into a digital image by an A / D converter. Converted to a signal. The digital image signals are sequentially output to the main CPU 60, where they are subjected to various types of image processing such as gradation processing, and then stored directly on the image disk 63 or displayed on the CRT 70.

The reading controller 61 includes a polygon mirror 51
1 and various origin synchronizing signals and an origin position detection signal from a photo sensor (not shown) for detecting a sub-scanning start position.
1 from the start position while synchronizing with the main scanning by the main scanning unit 5
1 is moved at a predetermined speed in the sub-scanning direction.

In this embodiment, the angle of incidence of irradiation on the storage phosphor plate 12 is
A substantially perpendicular incidence method of 5 degrees with respect to the plate surface is adopted.

The radiation image reading apparatus of this embodiment is
It may be used as a radiation image erasing device for erasing the residual image remaining on the stimulable phosphor plate from which a radiation image has been read by another radiation image reading device. In this case, first, as shown in S1 of FIG.
The stimulable phosphor plate 12 is moved in the X direction from the cassette 9 specified by the instruction input to the predetermined X direction position where the stimulable phosphor plate 12 can be taken out substantially vertically, and as shown in S2 of FIG. At the position in the X direction, the stimulable phosphor plate 1 is moved from the cassette 9 designated by the instruction input from the operation unit 7.
2 is taken out in a substantially vertical direction and held, and then S in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the stimulable phosphor plate 1
2 remains in the stimulable phosphor plate 12 due to the erasing light from the erasing light source of the erasing section 13 while being conveyed and accommodated in the cassette 9 in which the stimulable phosphor plate 12 was accommodated in a substantially vertical direction. Eliminate afterimages.

[0145]

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent light from leaking from the opening provided for taking out the stimulable phosphor plate at each set position, even if cassettes are not set at all set positions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a radiation image reading apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the radiation image reading apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the radiation image reading apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the radiation image reading apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the cassette 9 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a stimulable phosphor plate 1 in a cassette 9 of an embodiment.
FIG.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the cassette 9 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a stimulable phosphor plate 1 in a cassette 9 of an embodiment.
FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state where the stimulable phosphor plate 12 is drawn out of the cassette 9 of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of the cassette stacker.

FIG. 11 is a right side sectional view of the cassette stacker.

FIG. 12 is a top end view near the plate opening of the cassette stacker and is an HH end view in FIGS.

FIG. 13 is a rear end view of the S-S section in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a front end view of the S-S section in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a right side sectional view of the radiation image reading apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a plate holding unit of the radiation image reading apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the cassette clinch of the radiation image reading apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the cassette clinch of the radiation image reading apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a left side sectional view of the radiation image reading apparatus according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 apparatus main body 3 cassette stacker 4 plate holding unit 5 image reading unit 6 system control unit 7 operation unit 9 cassette 12 stimulable phosphor plate 13 erasing unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A cassette stacker having a plurality of cassette chambers satisfying all of the following conditions 1 to 4 in which a cassette capable of accommodating a plate-shaped stimulable phosphor plate on which a radiation image is recorded can be inserted and set at least partially. A device main body for taking out the stimulable phosphor plate from the cassette set in any of the cassette chambers of the cassette stacker and reading a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor plate; . (Condition 1) A cassette opening, which is an opening for inserting at least a part of the cassette, and a plate opening, which is an opening on the apparatus body side, for taking out the stimulable phosphor plate from the set cassette, Is provided. (Condition 2) Except for the cassette port and the plate port, it is a structure that blocks the passage of light. (Condition 3) The cassette opening is provided with an opening / closing member that shields the cassette opening at least when the cassette is not inserted through the cassette opening. (Condition 4) The plate opening is provided with a light blocking means for preventing light leakage from the plate opening at least when the cassette is set. 2. An insertion detecting means for detecting whether or not the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening in the cassette chamber, and a set detecting means for detecting whether or not the cassette is set in the cassette chamber. Means, the insertion detecting means detects that the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening in any of the cassette chambers, and the set detecting means sets the cassette in the cassette chamber. 2. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when detecting that the stimulable phosphor plate is not set in the cassette stacker, taking out the stimulable phosphor plate from the cassette set in the cassette stacker is prohibited. 3. In any one of the cassette chambers, the insertion detecting means detects that the cassette is inserted from the cassette opening, and the set detecting means sets the cassette in the cassette chamber. 3. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an error is displayed when it is detected that the radiation image is not present. 4. The cassette stacker can set the cassette in the cassette chamber such that a surface of the stimulable phosphor plate accommodated in the cassette stacker is substantially vertical.
The radiation image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the stimulable phosphor plate is taken out of the cassette set in the cassette chamber in a substantially vertical direction.