JP2005073749A - Radiographic image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low cost radiographic image recording apparatus having high convenience in replacing a grid. <P>SOLUTION: A replacement procedure image showing a replacement procedure of the grid is displayed by operating an operation display panel 27; and respective operations such as the opening of a grid replacement door 56, the replacement of the grid 44, and the closing of the grid replacement door 56 are performed according to the image sequentially displayed according to the replacement procedure without using an instruction manual. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiation image recording apparatus that guides radiation transmitted through a subject to a radiation image recording medium via a grid and records the radiation image of the subject on the radiation image recording medium.

  Conventionally, when irradiated with radiation emitted from a radiation source, a part of this radiation energy is accumulated, and then when irradiated with excitation light such as visible light, accumulation that shows photostimulated luminescence according to the accumulated energy intensity. 2. Description of the Related Art A radiation image recording apparatus that records a radiation image of a subject such as a human body on a stimulable phosphor sheet having a stimulable phosphor layer by using a stimulable phosphor is known.

  In such a radiation image recording apparatus, a grid for removing scattered radiation other than necessary radiation that has passed through the subject is disposed immediately before the stimulable phosphor sheet. It is desirable that this grid can be exchanged so that an optimal grid can be selected and mounted according to the shooting purpose, shooting conditions, and the like.

  By the way, when replacing the grid, if the operator of the radiation image recording apparatus performs the replacement work based on the description in the manual, not only the work of examining the manual is very complicated, but also an unfamiliar operator confirms the manual. However, an operation error may occur because the operation is performed.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a sheet for forming an image is jammed in the apparatus, the situation and the jammed portion are detected by a sensor, and a series of processing steps for removing the sheet are performed. The moving image is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit so that the operator can easily and reliably remove the sheet.

JP 2000-155508 A

  However, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, the removal processing procedure is displayed according to a signal from a sensor that detects a paper jam, and the processing procedure cannot be displayed based on an arbitrary operation by the operator. Absent. Therefore, in order to apply when an instruction from the operator is necessary, such as grid replacement, a separate instruction means is required, and the apparatus becomes complicated and expensive.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a radiographic image recording apparatus that is highly convenient and inexpensive in performing grid replacement work.

The radiation image recording apparatus of the present invention is a radiation image recording apparatus that guides radiation transmitted through a subject to a radiation image recording medium through a grid, and records the radiation image of the subject on the radiation image recording medium.
An operation display panel for performing a setting operation on the radiation image recording apparatus and displaying a setting image for the setting operation;
An exchange procedure image storage unit for storing an exchange procedure image indicating the exchange procedure of the grid;
In accordance with the setting operation, a display processing unit that performs a display process on the operation display panel of the replacement procedure image;
It is characterized by providing.

  In this case, when the operator replaces the grid, when the operator operates the operation display panel, the display processing unit displays the replacement procedure image on the operation display panel. The operator performs a grid replacement operation according to the displayed replacement procedure image.

  By sequentially displaying a plurality of replacement procedure images according to the grid replacement procedure, it is possible to easily grasp the replacement procedure and perform a reliable grid replacement operation.

  In addition, the grid exchanging work is further facilitated by performing voice guidance by the voice output unit corresponding to the contents of the exchange procedure image.

  In the radiographic image recording apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to display an exchange procedure image for grid exchange according to an operator's setting operation using an operation display panel for performing setting operation of the radiographic image recording apparatus. In this case, the operator can easily and reliably perform the grid replacement work according to the replacement procedure image displayed on the operation display panel without using a manual.

  Note that the replacement procedure can be more easily grasped by sequentially displaying a plurality of replacement procedure images according to the replacement procedure on the setting display panel. Further, the replacement procedure can be further facilitated by displaying the replacement procedure image and outputting the sound corresponding to the content.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a radiation image recording / reading apparatus 20 to which the radiation image recording apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The radiographic image recording / reading apparatus 20 has a support column 24 erected on a base 22, and a main body portion 26 is arranged on the support column 24 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. An operation display panel 27 for displaying a setting operation for processing by the apparatus 20 and a setting image for the setting operation is provided. The operation display panel 27 serves as both a touch panel for operation and a display unit for displaying a setting image.

  On the upper part of the main body 26, an upper grip frame 28 is supported by the support column 24 and disposed. Further, side grip frames 30 a and 30 b are disposed on both sides of the main body 26. Further, a radiation shielding panel 34 is connected to the main body 26 via a displaceable arm member 32. The upper grip frame 28 and the side grip frames 30a and 30b are gripped by the subject 36 shown in FIG. The radiation shielding panel 34 protects the genital organs and the like of the subject 36 from radiation output from the radiation source 38.

  A phototimer 42, a grid 44, and a stimulable phosphor sheet IP (radiation image recording medium) are disposed from the subject 36 side inside the housing 40 constituting the main body 26. The phototimer 42 is for measuring the dose of radiation irradiated from the radiation source 38 through the subject 36 and controlling the irradiation amount. The grid 44 is for removing scattered radiation other than necessary radiation transmitted through the subject 36. The stimulable phosphor sheet IP is configured to be movable in the arrow direction between a position close to the grid 44 (solid line) and a position spaced apart from the grid 44 (two-dot chain line).

  In addition, a reading / erasing unit 46 that moves in the vertical direction along the front surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP disposed at a position indicated by a two-dot chain line is disposed inside the main body 26. The reading / erasing unit 46 irradiates the stimulable phosphor sheet IP with excitation light and photoelectrically reads the stimulated emission light output according to the intensity of the accumulated radiation energy, and a radiation image The storable phosphor sheet IP that has been read is irradiated with erasing light to remove the remaining radiation energy.

  The reading unit 48 includes a plurality of laser diodes 41a to 41x that output excitation light, and a plurality of CCD line sensors 43a to 43e that convert the stimulated emission light obtained from the stimulable phosphor sheet IP into electric signals. . The erasing unit 50 includes a plurality of cold cathode tubes 45a to 45m that output erasing light. The laser diodes 41a to 41x are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the reading / erasing unit 46, and irradiate the stimulable phosphor sheet IP with excitation light shaped in a line shape. The CCD line sensors 43a to 43e are arranged in a zigzag pattern in the arrangement direction of the laser diodes 41a to 41x, and receive the stimulated emission light obtained from the stimulable phosphor sheet IP and convert it into an electrical signal. The cold cathode tubes 45a to 45m are configured to be long in the arrangement direction of the laser diodes 41a to 41x.

  The reading / erasing unit 46 is engaged with the conveyance belt 52 and is driven by guide rails 49 extending in the vertical direction along both sides of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP under the driving action of the reading / erasing unit moving motor 54. Move up and down.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, an openable and closable grid exchange door 56 for exchanging the grid 44 is disposed at the top of the housing 40. The grid 44 has handles 58a and 58b for replacement work by an operator at the upper part. In addition, in the lower part of the grid replacement door 56, in order to prevent dust and the like from entering the main body 26 when the grid replacement door 56 is opened, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP side excluding the upper part of the grid 44 is provided. An inner cover 60 is disposed so as to cover the upper portion of the inner cover 60. On the upper surface portion of the inner cover 60, a label 62 printed with a picture clearly showing the insertion state of the grid 44 with respect to the main body portion 26 and the insertion portion is disposed.

  FIG. 4 is a control circuit block diagram of the radiation image recording / reading apparatus 20 configured as described above. The radiation image recording / reading apparatus 20 is controlled by the main control unit 64 (display processing unit). The main control unit 64 moves the elevating control unit 66 for elevating the main body unit 26 along the support column 24 and the stimulable phosphor sheet IP between the photographing position (solid line) and the reading / erasing position (two-dot chain line). The IP movement control unit 68 is connected to a reading / erasing unit control unit 70 that performs reading / erasing processing of a radiation image by the reading / erasing unit 46. In addition, a door open / close detection sensor 72 that detects the open / close state of the grid replacement door 56 and a grid presence / absence detection sensor 74 that detects whether or not the grid 44 is attached to the main body 26 are connected to the main control unit 64. Is done.

  Further, the operation display panel 27 is connected to the main control unit 64 via one of the selected interfaces 76 or 78. The operation display panel 27 can be mounted on the right side or the left side of the main body 26 by selecting the interface 76 or 78. If the interface 76 or 78 and the operation display panel 27 are connected by a flexible arm, the operator or the subject 36 can be easily visually recognized.

  Furthermore, the main control unit 64 includes a setting image storage unit 80 that stores setting images, an exchange procedure image storage unit 82 that stores an exchange procedure image indicating the replacement procedure of the grid 44, and a storage unit that stores accumulative fluorescence. The radiographic image storage unit 84 that stores the radiographic image read from the body sheet IP, the audio output unit 86 that outputs audio corresponding to the display content of the operation display panel 27, and the radiographic image recording / reading apparatus 20 are connected via the network 88. A communication control unit 92 for connecting to the external device 90 is connected.

  The radiation image recording / reading apparatus 20 of the present embodiment is basically configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described next.

  First, a radiographic image recording process using the radiographic image recording / reading apparatus 20 will be described. In the recording process, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is placed at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG.

  On the operation display panel 27 disposed on the support column 24, for example, information such as the name and imaging region of the subject 36 is displayed as in the setting image 94 shown in FIG. 5, and the imaging range selected by the operator is displayed. (Shown by hatching) is displayed. The operator and the subject 36 can confirm the display contents and proceed with preparation for photographing. In this case, the operation display panel 27 may be provided with a means for confirming the identity such as a fingerprint collation means, and the identity of the subject 36 displayed on the setting image 94 may be confirmed using the means. .

  Therefore, the operator operates the operation display panel 27 and other operation means (not shown) to instruct the elevation control unit 66 via the main control unit 64 of the radiation image recording / reading apparatus 20, so that the main body unit 26 is moved to the subject 36. Raise and lower according to the part to be imaged.

  After the position of the main body 26 is determined, the radiation source 38 is driven to irradiate the subject 36 with radiation. The radiation transmitted through the subject 36 is applied to the stimulable phosphor sheet IP through the phototimer 42 and the grid 44, and a radiation image of the subject 36 is recorded. Before and after the radiation irradiation, guidance such as “please breathe”, “please hold your breath”, and “please make it easier” may be output as voice via the voice output unit 86. Good.

  After the radiation image is recorded as described above, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is moved to the position of the two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 2 by the IP movement control unit 68, and then the read / erase unit 46 is moved to the stimulable phosphor. The radiographic image is read by moving along the front surface of the sheet IP.

  That is, the read / erase unit controller 70 drives the read / erase unit moving motor 54 and moves the read unit 48 constituting the read / erase unit 46 upward along the stimulable phosphor sheet IP via the conveyor belt 52. Let At this time, when the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is irradiated with the excitation light output from the laser diodes 41a to 41x, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP outputs the stimulated emission light corresponding to the accumulated radiation image. . The stimulated emission light is received by the CCD line sensors 43 a to 43 e, converted into electric signals, and stored in the radiation image storage unit 84. The radiographic image stored in the radiographic image storage unit 84 is transmitted to the external apparatus 90 via the network 88 by the communication control unit 92 and then used for diagnosis and the like.

  On the other hand, when the reading / erasing unit 46 moves to the upper part of the main body 26 and the reading process of the radiation image is completed, the cold cathode tubes 45a to 45m constituting the erasing unit 50 are turned on and the reading / erasing unit 46 is moved downward. The radiation energy remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is erased.

  As described above, the radiation image recording process, reading process, and erasing process are performed on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP. Note that the erasing process is not only automatically performed after the reading process, but also by operating the “IP erasing” button of the setting image 94 shown in FIG. 5, the radiation image is stored in the stimulable phosphor sheet IP. It can also be done at any time before recording. This is because the radiation energy accumulated while not using the radiation image recording / reading apparatus 20 is erased before recording.

  Here, the grid 44 loaded in the main body 26 may be replaced or removed depending on the imaging region, the imaging purpose, or the like. Therefore, the grid 44 replacement process using the operation display panel 27 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in the setting image 94 shown in FIG. 5, when the operator operates the “replace grid” button (step S <b> 1), the main control unit 64 displays an image showing a procedure for opening the grid replacement door 56 from the replacement procedure image storage unit 82. Data is read and displayed on the operation display panel 27 as door opening operation images 96a to 96d shown in FIG. 7 in order at predetermined time intervals (step S2).

  In this case, the door opening operation image 96a shows the grid replacement door 56 in the closed state and the opening direction thereof, and the door opening operation image 96b shows the grid replacement door 56 in the partially opened state and the opening direction thereof. The door open operation image 96c shows the grid replacement door 56 in a further open state, and the door open operation image 96d shows the grid replacement door 56 in a fully open state. Then, in each of the door opening operation images 96a to 96d, a message “Please push up and open the grid replacement door” is displayed together with an image, thereby making it easier to grasp the replacement procedure.

  The operator can easily open the grid replacement door 56 while checking these door opening operation images 96a to 96d without using a manual. In addition, when the position and state of the grid replacement door 56 are unclear due to the transition of the door opening operation images 96a to 96d, the button “view again” displayed on the image of the door opening operation image 96d is operated. . Thereby, the images of the door opening operation images 96a to 96d can be repeatedly displayed. Alternatively, the display of the door opening operation images 96a to 96d may be repeatedly displayed until the grid replacement door 56 is completely opened without setting the “view again” button.

  When the door opening / closing detection sensor 72 detects that the grid replacement door 56 has been completely opened (step S3), the main control unit 64 determines whether the grid 44 has already been inserted based on the signal from the grid presence / absence detection sensor 74. It is confirmed whether or not (step S4).

  When it is confirmed that the grid 44 is inserted, the main control unit 64 reads out image data indicating a procedure for taking out the grid 44 from the replacement procedure image storage unit 82, and takes out the grid shown in FIG. The operation images 98a to 98f are displayed in order at predetermined time intervals (step S5).

  In this case, the grid take-out operation image 98a indicates the positions of the handles 58a and 58b disposed on the top of the grid 44 by arrows, and the grid take-out operation image 98b indicates the pull-out direction of the handles 58a and 58b by arrows. The take-out operation image 98c shows a state in which a part of the grid 44 is taken out via the handles 58a and 58b, and the grid take-out operation image 98d shows a state in which the grid 44 is completely taken out, and the grid take-out operation image 98e. Indicates a state in which the grid 44 is removed. The grid take-out operation image 98f is an image that displays buttons for “insert grid” and “end exchange” in a state where the grid 44 is removed, and prompts the operator to perform the next operation. Each of the grid removal operation images 98a to 98f displays a message “Please grab the grid handle and pull it straight upward” together with the image, thereby making it easier to grasp the replacement procedure.

  The operator can easily take out the grid 44 from the main body 26 while checking these grid take-out operation images 98a to 98f. As in the case of the door opening operation images 96a to 96d, by operating the “view again” button displayed on the image of the grid extraction operation image 98f, the images of the grid extraction operation images 98a to 98f are repeatedly displayed. Can be made. Further, the image display of the grid extraction operation images 98a to 98f may be repeatedly displayed without setting the “view again” button until the grid 44 is completely extracted.

  Next, after the grid 44 is extracted, when the operator operates the “grid insertion” button of the grid extraction operation image 98f (step S6), the main control unit 64 reads the grid 44 from the replacement procedure image storage unit 82. The image data indicating the procedure for inserting is read out and displayed on the operation display panel 27 as grid insertion operation images 100a to 100d shown in FIG. 9 in order at predetermined time intervals (step S7). This display is performed in the same manner even when it is detected in step S4 that the grid 44 is not inserted.

  In this case, the grid insertion operation image 100a shows the insertion position of the grid 44 (see the hatched portion), and the grid insertion operation image 100b is a label disposed on the inner cover 60 at the portion where the grid replacement door 56 is opened. 62 (see FIG. 3) is shown enlarged, and the grid insertion operation image 100c shows a part where the grid 44 is inserted in accordance with the mark displayed on the label 62, and the grid insertion operation image 100d shows that the grid 44 is inserted. The enlarged state is shown. In addition, in the grid insertion operation image 100d, a “replacement end” button for prompting the operator to perform the next operation in a state where the grid 44 is inserted is displayed. Then, in each of the grid insertion operation images 100a to 100d, the message “Please insert the grid in accordance with the label mark” is displayed together with the image, thereby making it easier to grasp the replacement procedure.

  The operator can easily and accurately insert the grid 44 into the main body 26 while confirming these grid insertion operation images 100a to 100d. As in the case of the door opening operation images 96a to 96d and the grid take-out operation images 98a to 98f, the grid insertion operation image is displayed by operating the “view again” button displayed on the image of the grid insertion operation image 100d. Images of 100a to 100d can be repeatedly displayed. Alternatively, the image display of the grid insertion operation images 100a to 100d may be repeatedly displayed without setting the “view again” button until the grid 44 is completely inserted.

  On the other hand, when the operator does not insert the grid 44 in the main body 26 and the “replacement end” button is operated by the operator in the grid removal operation image 98f shown in FIG. 8 (step S8), or after the grid 44 is inserted, When the “exchange end” button is operated in the grid insertion operation image 100d shown in FIG. 9 (step S8), the main control unit 64 is an image showing a procedure for closing the grid replacement door 56 from the replacement procedure image storage unit 82. Data is read and displayed on the operation display panel 27 as door closing operation images 102a to 102d shown in FIG. 10 in order at predetermined time intervals (step S9).

  In this case, the door closing operation image 102a shows the grid replacement door 56 in the open state and its closing direction, and the door closing operation image 102b shows the grid replacement door 56 in the partially closed state, and the door closing operation Image 102c shows grid replacement door 56 in a fully closed state. The door closing operation image 102d displays a “return to initial” button when the grid replacement door 56 is closed, and prompts the operator to return to the normal setting image 94 shown in FIG. Each door close operation image 102a to 102d displays the message “The grid replacement is complete. Please close the grid replacement door slowly.” Along with the image, making it easier to understand the replacement procedure. It is supposed to be.

  The operator can perform a process of closing the grid replacement door 56 while confirming these door close operation images 102a to 102d. As in the case of the door opening operation images 96a to 96d, the grid take-out operation images 98a to 98f, and the grid insertion operation images 100a to 100d, an operation is performed on the “view again” button displayed on the door closing operation image 102d. By doing so, the images of the door closing operation images 102a to 102d can be repeatedly displayed. Alternatively, the display of the door closing operation images 102a to 102d may be repeatedly displayed without setting the “view again” button until the grid replacement door 56 is completely closed.

  When the door opening / closing detection sensor 72 detects that the grid replacement door 56 is completely closed (step S10), the replacement work of the grid 44 is completed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the replacement procedure image stored in the replacement procedure image storage unit 82 may be transmitted from the external device 90 via the network 88 and always stored as the latest replacement procedure image. .

  Further, a telephone function equipped with a camera is incorporated in the operation display panel 27, and for example, a situation image of the site captured by the camera is transmitted to another worker away from the radiation image recording / reading device 20, and the grid 44 In addition to the description using the replacement procedure image, it is possible for the operator who is performing the replacement work to give an instruction by voice or the like.

  Further, various sensors are provided inside the main body portion 26 of the radiation image recording / reading apparatus 20. For example, when an incorrect operation is performed when replacing the grid 44, the operation error is detected by the sensor, and the operation display panel 27 is operated. It is also possible to notify the operator of an operation error by means of a display image or voice via the screen.

1 is an external view of a radiation image recording / reading apparatus to which a radiation image recording apparatus of the present invention is applied. It is an internal block diagram of the main-body part of a radiographic image recording / reading apparatus. It is perspective explanatory drawing of the state which opened the grid exchange door of the radiographic image recording and reading apparatus. It is a control circuit block diagram of a radiographic image recording / reading apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the setting image displayed on the operation display panel of a radiographic image recording / reading apparatus. It is a flowchart of the grid exchange process in a radiographic image recording and reading apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the door open operation image displayed on the operation display panel of a radiographic image recording and reading apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the grid extraction operation image displayed on the operation display panel of a radiographic image recording and reading apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the grid insertion operation image displayed on the operation display panel of a radiographic image recording / reading apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the door close operation image displayed on the operation display panel of a radiographic image recording reading apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Radiation image recording / reading apparatus 24 ... Support | pillar 26 ... Main-body part 27 ... Operation display panel 36 ... Subject 38 ... Radiation source 44 ... Grid 46 ... Reading erasure unit 48 ... Reading part 50 ... Erase part 56 ... Grid exchange door 58a, 58b ... handle 60 ... inner cover 62 ... label 64 ... main control unit 80 ... setting image storage unit 82 ... replacement procedure image storage unit 84 ... radiation image storage unit 86 ... sound output unit 94 ... setting images 96a to 96d ... door opening operation images 98a to 98f ... Grid take-out operation images 100a to 100d ... Grid insertion operation images 102a to 102d ... Door close operation image IP ... Storage phosphor sheet

Claims (3)

In a radiographic image recording apparatus for guiding radiation transmitted through a subject to a radiographic image recording medium via a grid and recording the radiographic image of the subject on the radiographic image recording medium,
An operation display panel for performing a setting operation on the radiation image recording apparatus and displaying a setting image for the setting operation;
An exchange procedure image storage unit for storing an exchange procedure image indicating the exchange procedure of the grid;
In accordance with the setting operation, a display processing unit that performs a display process on the operation display panel of the replacement procedure image;
A radiographic image recording apparatus comprising: The apparatus of claim 1.
The radiographic image recording apparatus, wherein the display processing unit performs a process of sequentially displaying a plurality of replacement procedure images according to a replacement procedure on the operation display panel. The apparatus of claim 1.
A radiographic image recording apparatus comprising: an audio output unit that outputs audio corresponding to the contents of the exchange procedure image displayed on the operation display panel.

Images