JPH0252249B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of the Invention) The present invention involves storing and recording radiation image information on a stimulable phosphor sheet, then irradiating the same with excitation light,
It relates to a radiation image information recording/reading device that detects photostimulated light according to accumulated and recorded image information, reads image information, and converts it into an electrical signal.More specifically, a stimulable phosphor sheet is circulated within the device. The present invention relates to a radiation image information recording/reading device that is reused.

(Technical Background of the Invention and Prior Art) Certain phosphors are exposed to radiation (X-rays, α-rays, β-rays,
When irradiated with γ-rays, ultraviolet rays, etc., part of the energy of this radiation is accumulated in the phosphor, and then when the phosphor is irradiated with excitation light such as visible light,
The phosphor exhibits stimulated luminescence depending on the accumulated energy. A phosphor exhibiting such properties is called a stimulable phosphor.

Using this stimulable phosphor, radiation image information of the human body, etc. is recorded on a sheet of stimulable phosphor,
A method has been proposed in which this is scanned with excitation light to cause stimulated emission, the stimulated emission light is read out photoelectrically to obtain an image signal, and this image signal is processed to obtain an image with good diagnostic suitability ( For example, JP-A No. 55-12429,
No. 56-11395, No. 55-163472, No. 56-104645
No. 55-116340, etc.). This final image may be reproduced as a hard copy or
It may also be played back on a CRT. In any case, in such a radiation image information recording and reproducing method, the stimulable phosphor sheet does not ultimately record image information, but temporarily stores the image in order to provide the image to the final recording medium as described above. Since it carries information, the stimulable phosphor sheet may be used repeatedly, and such repeated use is extremely economical.

In addition, for example, a mobile station such as an X-ray vehicle may be equipped with a radiation image information recording/reading device that uses a stimulable phosphor sheet, and the mobile station may be used to travel to various locations for group examinations and take X-rays. in case of,
Loading a large number of stimulable phosphor sheets into a vehicle is inconvenient, and there is a limit to the number of sheets that can be loaded onto a moving vehicle. Therefore, a stimulable phosphor sheet is mounted on a moving vehicle so that it can be used repeatedly, radiographic image information for each subject is recorded on it, and the image signal obtained by reading it is stored in a storage capacity such as a magnetic tape. If the radiation images are copied onto a large recording medium and the stimulable phosphor sheet is reused, radiographic images of a large number of objects can be taken by a mobile vehicle, which is extremely useful in practice. Furthermore, if continuous imaging is performed through this cyclical reuse, the imaging speed can be increased in mass medical examinations, which has an extremely large practical effect.

In order to reuse the stimulable phosphor sheet in this way, the radiation energy remaining in the stimulable phosphor sheet after the stimulated luminescence light is read can be absorbed by, for example, JP-A No. 56-11392, The stimulable phosphor sheet may be used again for recording radiographic images by emitting it to erase residual radiographic images by a method such as that shown in No. 56-12599.

Based on the above-mentioned viewpoints, the present applicant has proposed a circulating conveyance means for conveying a stimulable phosphor sheet capable of accumulatively recording radiographic images along a predetermined circulation path, an image recording section that accumulates and records radiation image information of the subject on the sheet by irradiating radiation through the image recording section; an image reading unit having an excitation light source that emits excitation light; a photoelectric reading unit that reads stimulated luminescence light emitted from a sheet scanned by the excitation light to obtain an image signal; An erasing section that releases the residual radiation energy on the sheet prior to recording an image on the sheet after the image reading is performed in the image reading section is incorporated into one device, and the above-mentioned stimulable phosphor is A radiation image information recording/reading device (hereinafter referred to as a radiation image information recording/reading device) in which a sheet is circulated between the above-mentioned parts and used repeatedly.
We previously proposed a built-in type device (Japanese Patent Application No. 1983-66730).

However, as mentioned above, such a built-in type device was proposed from the viewpoint that it would be extremely convenient to be installed in a mass medical examination vehicle, for example, so it is necessary to perform continuous imaging at as short an interval as possible. It is desirable that

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned built-in type device, the stimulable phosphor sheet is circulated through the steps of image recording, image reading, and erasing in sequence.
Among these steps, the image reading step generally requires the longest time, for example, about 45 seconds. Therefore, by continuously photographing a number of times that is sufficiently larger than the number of sheets that are stored and circulated in the device,
From the overall perspective of averaging these photographing intervals, the photographing interval is regulated by the time required for the image reading process, and cannot be shortened below that. However, for example, even if it is not possible to make the shooting interval less than the reading time as a whole, if you look at it partially, that is, within a certain predetermined limited number of shooting times, it can be done continuously without waiting time. It is extremely practical and convenient to configure the camera so that it can be photographed. This is because, for example, when multiple images are taken of a single patient in a group medical examination, multiple images of that patient can be taken consecutively without waiting time, and at that time, the equipment can Although it will take some time before the next imaging can be started, this is not a particular problem as the patient will also need time to take turns. Because it can be taken.

(Object of the Invention) In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a built-in type radiation image information recording/reading device, which can shorten the imaging interval in continuous imaging as much as possible, and which can To provide an apparatus capable of continuously photographing with almost no photographing interval within a limited range of the number of times of photographing (within a range of the number of sheets circulating in the apparatus).

(Structure of the Invention) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the device according to the present invention, in the built-in type radiation image information recording/reading device, accumulates n sheets (n is a natural number of 3 or more) in the circulation path. Inserting a fluorescent phosphor sheet, waiting for one sheet of the sheet on which the radiographic image information has been stored and recorded is placed on standby from the image recording section in the direction of travel of the sheet to the image reading section. (n-2) or more zones are provided, and a zone corresponding to one sheet is provided in which the sheet from which the residual radiation energy has been released is kept on standby from the image reading section in the direction in which the sheet travels to the image recording section. It is characterized by providing (n-2) or more standby zones.

(Effects of the Invention) The device according to the present invention includes n (n is a natural number of 3 or more) stimulable phosphor sheets, that is, at least three sheets, inserted into the circulation path. Therefore,
The overall imaging interval during continuous imaging can be kept to a minimum.

That is, in this built-in type device, as mentioned above, the stimulable phosphor sheet is circulated between the image recording process, the image reading process, and the erasing process, and generally only once during the reading process. The erasing process takes about the same amount of time as the reading process.
The image recording process and conveyance together require a slightly shorter time than the reading process. Therefore, at least 3
If more than one sheet is being circulated at the same time, one sheet will be used for the reading process, another for the erasing process, and the remaining one will be used for the erasing process.
The images can be allocated to the image recording process and transportation, and the reading process, which requires the longest time in the device, can be operated without interruption, thereby minimizing the overall shooting interval during continuous shooting. (up to the reading process time).

Furthermore, the apparatus according to the present invention stores photographed sheets (n-2) between the image recording section and the image reading section.
(n is the number of sheets that are stored and circulated in the device) or more, and a waiting zone that can hold at least (n-2) erased sheets is provided between the image reading section and the image recording section. A waiting zone is provided in which the vehicle can be used. Therefore, at least n sheets stored and circulated in the apparatus can be continuously photographed with almost no photographing interval.

In other words, when continuous shooting is performed for n circulating sheets without shooting intervals, the last sheet can remain in the shooting section after shooting, and the preceding (n-1) sheets are image recorded immediately after shooting. (hereinafter referred to as the Photography Department). Otherwise, the next sheet cannot be carried into the photographing section and photographing cannot be performed. However, since the first sheet is conveyed to the reading section immediately after photographing, the second sheet can be carried into the photographing section, but the second sheet is conveyed to the reading section immediately after photographing. It is not possible. This is because the reading time is much longer than the photographing time, and the reading section is just reading the first sheet. Therefore, if there is no waiting zone between the photographing section and the reading section, the second sheet cannot be removed from the photographing section, and continuous photographing of the third and subsequent sheets becomes impossible. . In this device, a waiting zone for at least (n-2) images is provided between the imaging section and the reading section, so the first image after imaging is placed in the reading section, and the next (n-2) images are stored in the reading section. They can be immediately transported to the waiting zone in sequence. Therefore, up to the second and final sheet can be continuously supplied to the photographing section, making it possible to continuously photograph n sheets.

On the other hand, in order to perform continuous shooting of n sheets, it is necessary to continuously supply n erased sheets that can be photographed to the photographing section. Since the time is also very long compared to the shooting time, it is not possible to continuously supply erased sheets in time for shooting unless a number of erased sheets are secured. In this device, a waiting zone is provided between the reading section and the photographing section in which at least (n-2) erased sheets can be kept on standby, so n erased sheets are continuously supplied to the photographing section. be able to. That is, the first sheet has already been supplied to the imaging unit, and then (n-2) erased sheets waiting in the waiting zone are sequentially supplied,
The last sheet remains in the reading section after reading and is supplied through an erasing process. Since the first image and the following (n-2) images have already been erased, they can be continuously supplied to the image capturing section, and the last image is not yet erased, but it is sent to the erasing section. After being brought in and before being used for photography (n-
2) Since the images are photographed, the erasing process is normally completed during the photographing of the preceding (n-2) images, and the data can be supplied to the photographing unit without delay.

Note that the reading section has a type that moves the sheet in the sub-scanning direction at a predetermined speed while deflecting the excitation light in the main-scanning direction, and a type that moves the sheet in the sub-scanning direction at a predetermined speed while deflecting the excitation light in the main-scanning direction. There is a type in which the sheet is moved at a predetermined speed in the direction, but with either type, it is of course possible to leave the read sheet as it is in the reading section after reading is completed.

As described above, the effects of the present invention can be obtained between the photographing section and the reading section and between the reading section and the photographing section (n-
2) A case has been described in which a sheet standby zone for (n-1) sheets or more is provided, but it goes without saying that continuous photographing of at least n sheets is possible even if a sheet standby zone for (n-1) or more sheets is provided.

(Embodiment of the invention) FIG. 1 is a conceptual side view showing one embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, this apparatus has an L-shaped circulation path 1, and the stimulable phosphor sheet 2 is circulated on this circulation path 1 by a circulation conveyance means 3 such as a conveyance roller or a conveyance belt.

Above the circulation path 1 is an image recording section (photographing section) 5.
, an image reading section 6 , and an erasing section 7 are sequentially arranged in the sheet traveling direction (direction of arrow A).

In the photographing section 5, the radiation emitted from the radiation source 10 passes through the subject 11 and the sheet 2
By entering the beam, radiation image information of the subject is accumulated and recorded on the sheet 2. In this embodiment,
The position of the photographing section 5 is configured to be adjustable up and down.

The photographed sheet is conveyed along the circulation path in the direction of arrow A by a circulation conveyance means 3 such as a drive roller or a conveyance belt, and enters the image reading section 6 .

The image reading unit 6 includes an excitation light source 62 that emits an excitation light 61 such as a laser beam that scans the sheet 2, and a photoprinter that reads stimulated luminescence light emitted from the sheet 2 by scanning the excitation light and obtains an electrical image signal. and a photoelectric reading means 63. 6
4 is a galvanometer mirror. Since this image reading unit 6 reads the sheet 2 while advancing it at a constant speed, there is a space 65 for one sheet where the sheet 2 immediately before the reading starts and a space 65 for one sheet where the sheet 2 immediately after the reading is completed. It has a space 66.

The read sheet 2 is sent to the erasing section 7 by the circulating conveyance means 3.

The erasing section 7 is provided with a large number of erasing light sources 71 such as fluorescent lamps, and the sheet 2 is irradiated with visible light from the erasing light sources 71 to emit residual radiation energy on the sheet.

The erased sheet is sent to the photographing section 5 again by the circulating conveyance means 3.

In this embodiment, in the built-in type device as described above, n=4 sheets 2 are inserted into the circulation path 1, and photographed sheets are placed on standby between the photographing section 5 and the reading section 6. let n-2=2
2 standby zones 81 and 82 are provided, and n-2=2 standby zones 91 and 92 are provided between the reading section 6 and the photographing section 5 for waiting erased sheets. Each standby zone 81, 82, 91, 92
are standby zones each having a space for one sheet.

Next, continuous imaging in this embodiment will be explained based on FIG. 2, which is a simplified version of FIG. 1.

In this embodiment, four sheets are inserted, and the two waiting zones 81 and 82 are provided between the photographing section 5 and the reading section 6. Therefore, the first photographed sheet is immediately sent to the space 65 in the reading unit 6 and reading starts, and then the second sheet is taken.
The first sheet is sent to the photographing section 5, and after the photographing is completed, this second sheet is sent to the standby zone 81, and then three sheets are sent to the photographing section 5, and after the photographing is completed, this third sheet is sent to the waiting zone 81. sheets are sent to the waiting zone 82. Then, the fourth and final sheet is sent to the photographing section 5, and after the photographing is completed, this fourth and final sheet remains in the photographing section.

Also, between the reading section 6 and the photographing section 5, there are two waiting zones 91 for waiting erased sheets.
92 is provided. Therefore, the first erased sheet is located in the photographing section 5, the second sheet waits in the standby zone 91 after erasing, and the third sheet is located in the advancing direction after erasing by the erasing section 7. is conveyed in the opposite direction and waits in the waiting zone 92, and the fourth and final sheet remains in the space 66 where the sheet is located after it has been read by the reading section. Therefore, immediately after the photographing of the sheet located in the first photographing section is completed, the second sheet waiting in the waiting zone 91 is sent to the photographing section and the second sheet is transferred to the waiting zone 9.
The third sheet waiting in 2 is in waiting zone 9.
1 and located in the space 66 of the reading section is sent to the erasing section 7 and erasing is started. When the second sheet is photographed, the third sheet waiting in the standby zone 91 is sent to the photographing section 5 and photographed. This 3
When the shooting of the first sheet is completed, the second and third sheets are taken.
While the photographing of the fourth sheet is being carried out, the fourth sheet, which has been almost completely erased, is conveyed from the erasing section 7 to the photographing section 5 and photographed.

In this embodiment, from the reading section 6 to the photographing section 5
One standby zone 92 of the two standby zones for erased sheets provided between
and the erasing section 7, and is configured so that the sheet erased by the erasing section 7 is returned to wait in this waiting zone 92, as shown in FIG.
Both standby zones 91 and 92 may be provided between the erasing section 7 and the photographing section 5. In this case, after the fourth and final sheet has been read, it is once conveyed to the erasing section 7 and subjected to erasing processing.
This is convenient because it can then be moved back and stopped at the space 66 in the reading section.

Figure 4 shows that the number of sheets inserted into the device is (n=
3) is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment in the case of 3) sheets, in which the first sheet photographed in the photographing section 5 is sent to the space 65 of the reading section 6 to start reading, and the second sheet is photographed. It waits in the post-standby zone 81, and the third sheet waits in the photographing section 5 after photographing. Regarding the supply of erased sheets to the photographing section 5, the first sheet is located in the photographing section 5, the second sheet is located in the standby zone 81, and the third sheet is returned after being erased to the reading section. 66, it is possible to continuously supply three erased sheets to the photographing section.

The above describes an embodiment in which a sheet waiting zone for (n-2) sheets is provided between the photographing section and the reading section and between the reading section and the photographing section. -1) An embodiment in which a sheet waiting zone for sheets is provided will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual side view of an embodiment in which sheet waiting zones for (n-1) sheets are provided.
In this embodiment, compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. The only difference is that a waiting zone 93 for one more sheet is provided between the two, and other than that, the structure is the same, and the same components are given the same reference numerals. A description of the device configuration will be omitted.

Continuous imaging in this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 6, which is a simplified version of FIG. 5.

In this embodiment, four sheets are inserted between the photographing section 5 and the reading section 6 (n-1=
3) Waiting zones 81, 82, 83 are provided. Therefore, the first photographed sheet is immediately sent to the reading section 6 to start reading, then the second sheet is sent to the photographing section 5, and after the photographing is completed, this second sheet is placed in the waiting zone. 81, the third sheet is subsequently sent to the photographing section 5, and after the photographing is completed, this third sheet is sent to the standby zone 82. Then, the fourth and final sheet is sent to the photographing section 5, and after the photographing is completed, it is sent to the standby zone 83.

Furthermore, (n-1=3) waiting zones 91, 92, and 93 are provided between the reading section 6 and the photographing section 5 for waiting erased sheets. Therefore,
The first erased sheet is located in the photographing section 5, the second and third sheets wait in standby zones 91 and 92 after being erased, and the fourth sheet is placed in the erasing section 7 after being erased. It is transported in a direction opposite to the traveling direction and waits in a waiting zone 93. Therefore, immediately after the photographing of the sheet located in the first photographing section is completed, the second sheet waiting in the waiting zone 91 is sent to the photographing section, and the third sheet waiting in the waiting zones 92 and 93 is sent to the photographing section. and the fourth sheet are conveyed to standby zones 91 and 92, respectively. When the second sheet has been photographed, the third sheet waiting in the standby zone 91 is transferred to the photographing section 5 and transferred to the standby zone 9.
The fourth sheet waiting in 2 is in waiting zone 9.
Sent to 1. When the photographing of this third sheet is completed, the fourth sheet is conveyed to the photographing section 5,
Photography will take place.

In this embodiment, from the reading section 6 to the photographing section 5
One of the three standby zones 93 for erased sheets provided between
and the erasing section 7, and is configured so that the sheet erased by the erasing section 7 is returned to wait in this waiting zone 93, as shown in FIG.
All the standby zones 91, 92, and 93 may be provided between the erasing section 7 and the photographing section 5.

Figure 8 shows that the number of sheets inserted into the device is n=3.
2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an embodiment in which the first sheet photographed by the photographing section 5 is taken by the reading section 6.
The second sheet waits in a standby zone 81 after being photographed, and the third sheet waits in a standby zone 82. In addition, the photography department 5
Regarding the supply of erased sheets to the camera, the first sheet is located in the photographing unit 5, the second sheet is located in the standby zone 91, and the third sheet is returned after being erased and is placed in the standby zone 9.
2, it is possible to continuously supply three erased sheets to the photographing section.

In the above embodiment, the standby zone between the image capturing section 5 and the reading section and the standby zone between the reading section 6 and the image capturing section 5 are defined as (n-
2) Although the case where the number is (n-1) and the case where each number is (n-1) have been described, the object of the present invention can be achieved even if more than 2) are provided.

Regarding the standby zone, each independent standby zone (n
-2) or more, or one standby zone having the orientation of (n-2) or more sheets may be provided.

As described above, in the apparatus according to the present invention, three or more stimulable phosphor sheets are inserted and circulated, so that the overall imaging interval can be kept to a minimum.

In addition, waiting zones are provided between the photographing section and the reading section and from the reading section to the photographing section, respectively, so that at least (n-2) sheets of photographed and erased sheets can be kept on standby. Continuous shooting is possible with no waiting time.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, which is provided with (n-2) standby zones between the imaging section and the reading section and between the reading section and the imaging section, respectively; 2 is a simplified conceptual diagram of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIGS. 3 and 4 are conceptual diagrams each showing another embodiment having (n-2) waiting zones; FIG. 6 is a side view showing an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, which is provided with (n-1) standby zones between the imaging section and the reading section and between the reading section and the imaging section, respectively. is a simplified conceptual diagram of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are conceptual diagrams each showing other embodiments each having (n-1) standby zones. 1...Circulation passage, 2...Storage phosphor sheet,
3... Circulating conveyance means, 5... Image recording section, 6...
Image reading unit, 62... Excitation light source, 63... Photoelectric reading means, 7... Erasing unit, 81, 82, 83... Standby zone between the image recording unit and the image reading unit,
91, 92, 93...Standby zone between the image reading section and the image recording section.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Circulating conveyance means for conveying a stimulable phosphor sheet capable of accumulating and recording radiation image information along a predetermined circulation path; in the circulation path, radiation is irradiated onto the sheet through a subject; an image recording section that accumulates and records radiographic image information of the subject on the sheet; and an excitation section that emits excitation light that scans the sheet on which the radiographic image information is accumulated and recorded in the image recording section, in the circulation path. an image reading section having a light source and a photoelectric reading means for reading stimulated luminescence light emitted from a sheet scanned by the excitation light to obtain an image signal; In the radiation image information recording/reading device, the radiation image information recording/reading device is provided with an erasing unit that releases residual radiation energy on the sheet after the reading is performed prior to recording an image on the sheet. is a natural number of 3 or more), and the sheet on which the radiographic image information has been stored and recorded is inserted in the direction of travel of the sheet from the image recording section to the image reading section. (n-2) or more waiting zones for one sheet to be kept on standby are provided, and the remaining radiation energy is emitted from the sheet from the image reading section in the traveling direction of the sheet to the image recording section. 1. A radiation image information recording/reading device characterized in that (n-2) or more standby zones for one sheet are provided for waiting.