JPH04320253A - Radiograph information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify the structure of a reader for reading the radiograph information of an object which is recorded (photographed) on a stimulable phosphor sheet. CONSTITUTION:A cassette 14 loading in this radiograph information reader 10 is fixed and positioned by the projecting part 12 of a cassette holder part 16. Then, the cassette 14 is opened by a pawl part 22 through a solenoid means 26. By opening the cover part 68 of the cassette 14 which stands on a stage part 28, the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 fixed on the cover part 68 side of the cassette 14 is carried with the rotation of a ball screw 30 under the rotating driving action of a 1st rotating driving source 32 while keeping such a state that an entire surface is exposed. Under a state where the sheet 62 is carried in such a way, the read of the radiograph information and the erasion of a residual image are performed by a photomultiplier 56 and an erasing light source 58, respectively.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Field of Application] The present invention provides information on radiation images of a subject stored and recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet from a cassette in which a stimulable phosphor sheet and a cassette for storing the sheet are integrated. The present invention relates to a reading device for reading.

0002

[Prior Art] When a certain type of phosphor is irradiated with radiation such as electron beams, It is known that when irradiated with phosphor, the phosphor generates stimulated luminescence depending on the stored energy, and phosphors with this property are called stimulable phosphors.

Using this stimulable phosphor, radiation (generally X-rays) is irradiated onto an object such as a human body, and radiation image information of the object is stored in a sheet form through the radiation transmitted through the object. Record on phosphor. The recorded stimulable phosphor sheet is scanned with excitation light such as a laser beam to generate stimulated luminescent light, and the resulting stimulated luminescent light is read photoelectrically to obtain an image signal (electrical signal). By processing this image signal (electrical signal), it is possible to obtain a radiation image of the subject that is suitable for diagnosis. Specifically, the radiation image of the subject can be output as a visible image onto a recording material such as a photographic light-sensitive material, a CRT, or the like.

[0004] Conventionally, a stimulable phosphor sheet and a cassette for storing the sheet are formed separately, and usually one
Image information is recorded (photographed) while the stimulable phosphor sheets are stored one by one in a cassette. The stimulable phosphor sheet recorded in this manner is taken out from the cassette by a reading device, and the image information is read. In other words, when a cassette is loaded into the reading device, the cassette is unlocked by a mechanism inside the device.
Next, the lid portion is opened by the lid opening means, and the stimulable phosphor sheet is taken out from the cassette body by a sheet taking out means such as a suction cup, and is sent to the image reading area by the conveying means. In addition, the stimulable phosphor sheet is
It is known to be used for diagnosis of relatively large parts such as the head, chest, and limbs, but it is also used for dental imaging using small stimulable phosphor sheets. In this case, the stimulable phosphor sheet used for dental photography is usually 3c
It is compact, about m x 4 cm.

As described above, when reading image information of a subject stored and recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet in a conventional radiation image information reading device, the recorded stimulable phosphor sheet is first removed from the cassette. After taking out the sheet, the image information of the subject is read while the sheet is being conveyed through a conveying means.

[0006]

However, in the conventional reading device described above, in order to accurately read the image information of the subject from the recorded stimulable phosphor sheet, it is necessary to remove the sheet from the cassette in which it is stored. After that, the stimulable phosphor sheet must be fixed in place and transported. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a fixing means to transport the stimulable phosphor sheet, which inconveniently makes the sheet transport mechanism extremely complicated. moreover,
Since the stimulable phosphor sheet and the cassette are provided separately, a means for taking out the sheet from within the cassette must also be provided, resulting in an increase in manufacturing costs.

The present invention was made to solve this kind of inconvenience, and instead of the conventionally formed stimulable phosphor sheet and the cassette for storing the sheet, it integrates the two. When reading the image information from the sheet, the cassette is opened and the image information is read from the stimulable phosphor sheet integrated with the cassette, thereby simplifying the conveying means for the sheet. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a radiation image information reading device that can be

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cassette for storing a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiographic image information of a subject is stored and recorded, the cassette comprising:
cassette fixing means for fixing and positioning the integrated cassette with the stimulable phosphor sheet fixed to the main body or lid side of the cassette; and opening the cassette to expose the stimulable phosphor sheet. a cassette opening/closing moving means for moving the cassette a desired distance while maintaining the cassette in an open state; and a stimulable phosphor on which radiation image information is accumulated and recorded when the cassette is moved by the cassette opening/closing moving means. Excitation light irradiation means for irradiating the sheet with excitation light; and photoelectrically detecting stimulated luminescence light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet by the excitation light irradiated from the excitation light irradiation means to generate radiation as an electrical signal. It is characterized by comprising a photoelectric detection section for obtaining image information, and a residual image erasing means for erasing radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet.

[0009]

[Operation] In the radiation image information reading device according to the present invention described above, the cassette in which the stimulable phosphor sheet is fixed and integrated is loaded and fixed into the cassette fixing means in the device. After the cassette is positioned by the cassette fixing means, the cassette is opened by the cassette opening/closing means to expose the stimulable phosphor sheet. Subsequently, the cassette is transported by the cassette moving means in a state where the cassette is opened and the stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed. When the cassette is transported by the cassette moving means, the stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation image information of the subject is accumulated and recorded is irradiated with excitation light such as a laser beam from the excitation light irradiation means to perform main scanning. Stimulated luminescence light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet by the excitation light irradiated from the excitation light irradiation means is received by the photoelectric detection section and photoelectrically converted, thereby converting radiation image information of the subject into an electrical signal. After the electrical signal is converted by the photoelectric detection section, the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet is erased by a residual image erasing means.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A radiographic image information reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of a radiation image information reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the reading device, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the cassette of FIG. 3 is loaded into the reading device, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams showing the operation.

In FIG. 1, a radiation image information reading device 1
0 is a cassette holder part 16 provided with a pair of protrusions 12 for fixing and positioning the cassette 14 loaded in the device 10, and a pair of holes 18 provided in the head of the cassette holder part 16. The claw portion 22 of the support member 20 opens the cassette 14 by pushing one side of the cassette 14 to which the lid portion (described later) is locked.
and the claw portion 2 based on the fulcrum 24 of the support member 20.
and solenoid means 26 for displacing 2.

A stage section 28 is provided below the claw section 22. This stage section 28 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is fixed and integrated below the cassette holder section 16.
It engages with a ball screw 30 that functions as a means for transporting the cassette 14 fixed to the cassette 14 . The ball screw 3
0 is axially directly connected to the first rotary drive source 32 that rotates. In detail, as shown in FIG.
The stage part 28 is engaged with a set of guide members 34 which are oriented in the conveying direction of the stage part 28 and displace the stage part 28 while holding the stage part 28 in a horizontal state. A bent push-up member 38 (see FIG. 5) that protrudes through a set of holes 36 is provided inside the stage portion 28, and the push-up member 38
8, a second rotational drive source 40 for rotationally driving the
A rack 46 is provided for taking out the cassette 14 from the insertion port 45 (see FIG. 4) of the device 10 under the driving action of the third rotational drive source 42 via a pinion 44 connected to the shaft of the rotational drive source 42. However, a circular hole 48 from which the rack 46 protrudes is defined in the wall.

The radiation image information reading device 10 further includes an excitation light irradiation means 5 that includes a laser light source, a light deflector, a scanning lens, etc., and scans the stimulable phosphor with an excitation light beam.
0, a light guide 54 that receives stimulated luminescence light emitted from the stimulable phosphor layer when the stimulable phosphor layer is irradiated with the laser light emitted from the excitation light irradiation means 50, and the light guide a photomultiplier 56 that receives the light transmitted by the photomultiplier 54 and converts it into an electrical signal; an erasing light source 58 that is provided at the erasing position and that erases remaining image information after reading the image information; and the erasing light source. A cover 60 is provided for efficiently irradiating the erasing light from 58 in the direction of the stage section 28.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the cassette 14 is capable of storing a stimulable phosphor sheet 62, a holding member 64 for fixing the stimulable phosphor sheet 62, and a stimulable phosphor sheet 62. It is composed of a housing-shaped main body part 66 and a lid part 68.

One end side of the main body portion 66 and the lid portion 68 of the cassette 14 are connected to each other via a pair of hinge members 70 so as to be openable and closable. A pair of protrusions 72 are provided at one end of the lid 68 and spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and the protrusions 72 are inserted into the main body 66 at positions corresponding to the protrusions 72 to hold the cassette 14. A pair of holes 74 are provided for locking. Furthermore, a recess 76 that engages with a pair of protrusions 12 provided for fixing and positioning the cassette 14 within the radiation image information reading device 10 is provided on opposing side surfaces of the main body 66;
76 is defined along its length. In addition, the lid part 68
has a groove 78 on the surface that joins with the main body 66 when closed.
A seal member 80, such as a packing, is provided in the groove portion 78 which is engraved and rotates around. This sealing member 80 has a waterproof function and allows the cassette 14 itself to be washed with water before or after use.

The cassette 14 is made of a material that transmits radiation such as X-rays and has a light blocking property. Therefore, the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 is completely housed in the cassette 14 and is irradiated with radiation through a subject (not shown), so that radiation image information of the subject is stored and recorded.

On the other hand, the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 has a rectangular sheet shape, and a stimulable phosphor layer is formed on a support (not shown), and a transparent protective layer is further formed on the stimulable phosphor layer. It is made up of layers. In this example, the size is small, about 3 cm x 4 cm,
Suitable for use in dental photography. The lower surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 is adhesively fixed to the lid portion 68 via a sponge-like holding member 64, for example. Therefore, when the cassette 14 is closed, the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 pushed up by the elastic force of the holding member 64 is in contact with the inner wall surface of the main body 66 constituting the cassette 14.

Next, the operation of the radiation image information reading apparatus 10 configured as described above will be explained.

First, as described above, the cassette 14 in which image information is stored and recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 is opened.
As shown in FIG. 4, is loaded into the radiation image information reading device 10 in order to read the image information. Cassette 14
When loading, the protrusion 72 is inserted into the hole 74 and the locked side surface 82 is placed upward, and the rod is moved horizontally. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of vertical protrusions 12, 12 provided in the radiation image information reading device 10 are engaged with a pair of concave portions 76, 76 defined in the main body portion 66. At the same time, the cassette 14 is positioned.

In this way, the stimulable phosphor sheet 62
The cassette 14 that stores the radiation image information reading device 10
After the solenoid means 2 is loaded, the solenoid means 2
The claw portion 22, which is displaced under the biasing action of 6, enters the hole 18 and presses the protrusion 72, thereby opening the cassette 14. That is, the tip of the claw portion 22 is connected to the cassette holder portion 16.
The protrusion 72 penetrates through the hole 18 defined in the head of the
The locked state is released by pressing the side surface part 82 (see FIG. 4) of the lid part 68 having a . When the cassette 14 is unlocked, the lid 68 side to which the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 is fixed is placed upside down on the stage 28, and the cassette 14 is placed in an open state. The main body part 66 side of the opened cassette 14 is fixed by the convex part 12 of the cassette holder part 16, while the lid part 64 side where the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 is exposed is left stationary on the stage part 28. Ru. In this case, the entire surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 is exposed when the cassette 14 is opened. Therefore, the ball screw 30 is rotated under the driving action of the first rotary drive source 32, and the cassette 14, which is fixed to the stage section 28 and the cassette holder section 16, is held in a horizontal state while being supported by the guide member 34. It is transported in the A direction.

During this transportation, the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 is main-scanned by the laser beam from the excitation light irradiation means 50, and as a result, stimulated luminescence is generated, and
This stimulated luminescence light is introduced into a photomultiplier 56 via a light guide 54, and image information is read photoelectrically.

Next, as described above, the stage section 28 is moved to the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. The cassette 14 is driven in the direction of arrow B. At this time, the erasing light source 58 in the erasing section is turned on, and the remaining image based on the image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 is erased.

In this way, the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 on which radiation energy has been emitted is obtained, and the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 to be stored inside the cassette 14 can be repeatedly used for recording (photographing). becomes possible.

Now, the operation of the cassette 14 for re-recording this image information will be explained. First, the push-up member 38 provided inside the stage section 28 is driven via the second rotational drive source 40, and the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 is
cassette 1 by pushing one side of the lid 68 to which is fixed.
4 (see Figure 5). That is, the push-up member 38 is integrally configured with a bent portion 84 bent in a dogleg shape connected to a rotating shaft 86, and a second rotational drive source is connected to one end of the rotating shaft 86. A disk 88 is provided which is connected to the rotating shaft of 40. Therefore, by rotating the disc 88 in the direction of arrow D under the rotational drive of the second rotational drive source 40, the bending portion 88 connected to the rotation shaft 86 is rotated.
It becomes possible to rotate the cassette 14 so that the tip portion protrudes from the holes 36, 36, and to push the lid portion 68 of the cassette 14. As a result, due to the pushing operation, the lid portion 68 is moved toward the main body portion 66.
The protrusion 72 provided on the lid 68 side forcibly enters the hole 74 on the main body 66 side, thereby locking and closing the cassette 14. state (see Figure 5b).

Next, as shown in the vertical cross-sectional view of the cassette holder section 16 in FIG.
6 through the circular hole 48 under the action of the pinion 44, and the cassette 14 is taken out from the cassette insertion opening 45 of the radiation image information reading device 10.

As described above, the radiographic image information reading device 10 according to the present invention stores the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 in the cassette 1.
The image information is read while being transported while being fixed to the lid portion 68 side of No. 4. Therefore, there is no need to provide a means for pulling out the stimulable phosphor sheet 62 from the cassette 14 by itself, and the mechanism inside the radiation image information reading device 10 can be extremely simplified, making manufacturing cheaper and more compact. It is possible to aim for

[0028]

Effects of the Invention According to the radiation image information reading device according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, while the cassette lid is opened to expose the entire surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet fixed to the lid, image information is read, residual images are erased, etc. in the reading device. I do. Therefore, there is no need to provide means for taking out the stimulable phosphor sheet, such as a suction cup, and fixing means for fixing the stimulable phosphor sheet, which were conventionally provided in this type of device. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the transport mechanism in the reading device and reduce the cost, as well as to make it lighter and more compact.

In the above embodiment, the stimulable phosphor sheet was provided on the lid side of the cassette, but it goes without saying that it may be provided on the main body side.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram of a radiation image information reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the radiation image information reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a cassette loaded into the radiation image information reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the cassette of FIG. 3 is loaded into the radiation image information reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the radiation image information reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the radiation image information reading device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10...Radiation image information reading device 12...Protrusion 14, 90...cassette 16...Cassette holder part 20...Support member 26... Solenoid means 28...Stage section 30...Ball screw 50...Excitation light irradiation means 56…Photo multiplier 58...Erasing light source 62...Stormative phosphor sheet

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cassette for storing a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiographic image information of a subject is accumulated and recorded, the stimulable phosphor sheet being fixed and integrated on the main body or lid side of the cassette. cassette fixing means for fixing and positioning the cassette; and cassette opening/closing movement for opening the cassette to expose the stimulable phosphor sheet and moving the cassette a desired distance while keeping the cassette open. excitation light irradiation means for irradiating excitation light onto a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiographic image information is stored and recorded when the cassette is moved by the cassette opening/closing movement means; a photoelectric detection unit that photoelectrically detects stimulated luminescence light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet by excitation light to obtain radiation image information as an electrical signal; and a photoelectric detection unit that obtains radiation image information as an electrical signal; residual image erasing means for erasing;
A radiation image information reading device comprising: