JPH0442222A - Radiant image information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To stably perform reading without impairing or damaging an IP by providing a carrier means to move a stage to expose the IP to exciting light from an exciting light source and to return the IP to its original position after completing the reading. CONSTITUTION:The above reader is equipped with the exciting light source 13 which generates the exciting light 14 to read the recording information of an accumulative phosphor sheet IP 2, and the carrier means 12 to move the stage 11 to expose the IP 2 to the exciting light 14 from the exciting light source 13 and to return the IP to its original position after completing the reading. In other words, the stage 11 loading a cassette 1 performs the reading by drawing out the IP 2 from the cassette 1 and passing it under the exciting light source 13 by the carrier means 12, and returns the IP 2 to its original position after completing the reading, and stores the IP 2 in the cassette 1. In such a way, it is possible to stably perform the reading without impairing or damaging the IP 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a radiation image information reading device for reading information recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet in a CR system.

(Prior art) In an X-ray system that irradiates a subject with X-rays and records changes in the intensity of the X-rays that have passed through the subject for diagnosis, the X-ray films have been used. However, recently CR (Compute
A system called d Radiography has been developed and is now in use. This system is a phenomenon in which a stimulable phosphor sheet, in which a stimulable phosphor is coated on a polyester support, is exposed to transmitted X-rays, and when it is irradiated with red laser light, it emits blue light, reproducing the photographed image. This is a system that uses This image is converted into an electric signal using a photomultiplier tube, amplified, and then converted into a digital signal and stored, and the X-ray image is observed using a CRT or the like.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) An example of a radiation image information reading device used in this system will be described below. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an example of the image information reading device.

In the figure, a stimulable phosphor sheet 2 stored in a cassette 1 is taken out from the cassette 1 and sent to a reading section 4 along a conveyance path 3, where the stored radiation image information is read. After that, the stimulable phosphor sheet 2 is transferred to the transport path 3.
The sheet is then sent to the erasing section 5, where the image information is erased, and then stored in the original cassette 1, whereupon the processing of the stimulable phosphor sheet 2 is completed.

The above reading device has the following problems.

(1) Since the stimulable phosphor sheet 2 is taken out of the cassette 1 and transported in a bare state, it is easily damaged and gets dirty, which shortens the lifespan of the sheet 2, which is said to be able to be used more than 1,000 times. There is a risk.

(2) Since the stimulable phosphor sheet 2 is often bent during the process of conveying it to the reading section 4 and the erasing section 5, the life of the sheet 2 is shortened. Moreover, the conveyance mechanism is complicated and the overall size is large, leading to an increase in cost.

(3) Is it possible to erase the information recorded on the read stimulable phosphor sheet 2 by uniformly exposing it to light? Since it has a built-in erasing section 5, the transport path 3 and the reading section For 4th grade, we have to consider the issue of heat.

(4) After the lid of cassette 1 is opened, the user cannot insert the next cassette 1 until all processing is completed, the cassette 1 is stored in the cassette 1, and the lid is closed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to provide a compact radiation image information reading device that can perform stable reading without damaging or damaging the stimulable phosphor sheet. It is in.

(Means for Solving the Problem) A first invention for solving the above problem is to pull out the stimulable phosphor sheet before reading processing from a cassette storing the stimulable phosphor sheet, and to put it back into the cassette after processing. a stage on which the cassette is placed, which is equipped with means for storing the cassette; an excitation light source that generates excitation light for reading recorded image information on the stimulable phosphor sheet; The apparatus is characterized by comprising a conveying means for moving the stage to expose it to excitation light and returning it to the original position after reading is completed.

Further, the second invention provides that after reading image information using excitation light,
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that it includes an erasing means for erasing remaining image information.

(Function) The stage on which the cassette is mounted pulls out the stimulable phosphor sheet from the cassette, and the sheet is passed under the excitation light source by the conveyance means, so that the information is read. When reading is completed, the stimulable phosphor sheet is returned to its original position by the conveyance means and stored in the cassette.

If information erasing means is provided, erasing is performed immediately after reading.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure,] 0 is a cassette] An image information reading device (hereinafter referred to as this device) that pulls out a stimulable phosphor sheet (hereinafter referred to as IP) 2 from a cassette, reads image information, and stores IF 5 in cassette 1 It is. 11 places cassette 1 containing the IF5, and inserts the IF5 into cassette 1.
This is a stage that is movably attached to the conveyor 12 in the left-right direction in the figure in order to read the image information recorded on the IF 5. Reference numeral 13 denotes an excitation light source that generates laser light to cause stimulated luminescence in the IF 5, and the excitation light 4 is irradiated as shown by the arrow.

Reference numeral 15 denotes an erasing lamp that irradiates light for erasing image information remaining in the IF 5 after the reading process has been completed.

The operation of the apparatus of the embodiment configured as shown in the above figure will be explained with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals.

(a) The figure shows a state in which the cassette 1 is fixed to the stage 1 on the conveyor 12 and positioned at the left end of the figure, and reading of image information is started.

(B) The figure shows an initial state in which the IF 5 stored and held in the cassette 1 is exposed to the outside of the cassette and reading is started. Excitation light source] 3 emits excitation light 14. The stage 11 is moved by the conveyor 12 in the direction of the arrow displayed at the bottom, and during this time the recorded information of the IF 5 is read. (c) The figure shows stage 1]
This is a diagram showing a state in which F5 is moved to the right by the conveyor 12 together with the cassette 1, image information is read by the excitation light 14 from the excitation light source 13, and the F5 reaches the right end.

To read the image information of the IF 5, scanning in the direction parallel to the paper surface is performed by moving the conveyor 12, and scanning in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is performed using a galvanometer, polygon mirror, etc.
(not shown). (C) In the figure, the stage 11-, which has reached the right end, is returned to the original position in the direction of the arrow marked at the bottom since the reading of IF5 has been completed.

(d) In the figure, the cassette on stage 11] is I
The stage 11 returns it to the position at the start of reading with F5 in the extended state. At this point, the IF 5 is inserted into the cassette 1 as shown in FIG.

An example of the configuration of each part of the device 10 that operates as described above is shown below, and its operation will be explained.

FIG. 3 is a detailed structural diagram showing the relationship among the cassette 1, stage 11, and conveyor 12. The same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals. The cassette 1 shown in the figure shows a state in which the IF 5 is pulled out, and the pulled out IF 5 is connected to the cassette 1 by the connecting member 21 and will not be pulled out. 22 is a holding lock for holding the IF5 in the cassette 1 when the IF5 is stored in the cassette 1. Reference numeral 23 denotes a back plate on which the IF 5 is placed and stored in the cassette 1, and a hook portion 24 is provided at the front lower part. When the cassette containing the IF5 is placed on the stage 11 in the direction of the white arrow, the solenoid A31
The cassette 1- is fixed to the stage 11''2. When the reading operation is started, the holding lock 22 is activated by the solenoid B3.
The back plate 23 that houses the IF5 by the operation of 2.
The binding of cassette 1 to the cassette 1 is released. 33 pulls out the back plate 23 together with IF5 from the cassette 1,
Further, the belt is used to store the back plate 23 in the cassette 1, and the motor of the drive mechanism is omitted. belt 3
3 has a drawer protrusion 34 and a storage protrusion 3 as shown in the figure.
5 is provided, and when the holding lock 22 is released by the solenoid B32, the back plate 23 moves forward slightly,
The hook portion 24 engages with the drawer projection 34. This state is shown in FIG. Figure 4 (a) shows IF5 in cassette 1.
Figure (B) shows the case when it is stored in the cassette 1. In the figure, the same parts as in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals. In Figure 1-136, the belt 33 is hung, and as it rotates, the belt 33
This is a roller that moves the machine forward and backward.

As mentioned earlier, the hook portion 24 of the back plate 23 is attached to the belt 3.
The movement of the belt 33 causes the back plays 1 and 23 to be pulled out as shown in FIG. 2 (B). This state is a state in which the cassette 1 is completely pulled out, as shown in the IF 5 and the back play 1/23 in the cassette shown in FIG. When this state is reached, the motor A41 of the conveyor 12 begins to rotate. The ball screw 42 is threadedly engaged with the stage 11, and the stage 11 moves rightward in the figure as the ball screw 42 rotates clockwise as the motor A41 rotates. At this point, the excitation light source 13 is on and reading is being performed. In Figure 2 (
c) When the position shown in the figure is reached, the reading is finished, so motor A
4]- rotates in the opposite direction, and the stage 11 moves to the left and returns to its original position, becoming the position shown in FIG. 2 (D). here,
The belt 33 rotates in the opposite direction to push the back plate 23 back into the cassette 1 to the position shown in FIG. Returning to Figure 3, solenoid C37 is back play 1.
- Push the back plate 1 and 23 into the cassette 1 completely by pressing the holding lock 22 until it is locked.

As explained above, this embodiment has the following effects.

(1,) The IP2 is taken out of the cassette 1 only when reading and when returning from the stage 11 position shown in () 1) in Figure 2 to the stage 11 position shown in (d) Figure 2. [Stable stage] Only horizontal feed of 1-, so IP
There is no need to worry about damage to 2. In addition, in other processes, IP
Needless to say, there is no risk of damage to the IP2 because the IP2 is stored in the cassette 1.

(2) Since there is no step of completely taking out the IP2 from the cassette 1 and transporting it, the mechanism is simplified.

(3) The transport is only two-dimensional transport that moves on a flat surface, the movement width is about the size of IP2, and erasing is also performed while reading, so cassette insertion - reading - erasing - cassette removal 1) The time required for a series of operations is shortened, and the device can be made compact.

(4) Since reading is performed with IP2 fixed on stage 1, there is no need to consider how to support IP2 during reading, and therefore, a free mechanical layout can be created without any restrictions regarding the transport direction. can.

In addition, good reading accuracy can be expected.

(5) Since IP2 is always on a flat plate, there is no need for a mechanism for flattening during reading.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals. Its construction is the same as that of the embodiment of FIG. 1 except that it does not have an erasing section with an erasing lamp 15, so its operation and construction are also the same.

In this embodiment, the quality is stable because there is no problem such as temperature rise due to heat generation, which occurs when the eraser is built in.

The drive mechanism of the conveyance machine 12 is not based on the ball screw 42, but may be a system in which a motor 90 drives a pinion 91 to move the rack 92 and move the stage 11 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, a roller may be rotated by a motor 90 and the stage 1 will not move due to friction.Furthermore, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, it may be moved to the right and returned by the restoring force of the spring 96.

Furthermore, the method of fixing the cassette 1 to the stage 11 is as follows.
A method of fixing the cassette 1 to the stage 11 shown in the figure,
That is, instead of the solenoid A31 shown on the left in FIG. 9, the cam 97 shown on the right may be used, or the nine links may be moved to the positions indicated by broken lines by a motor 98 as shown on the right in FIG. It may be of a fixed type.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the stage 11 and IP2 are conveyed horizontally, but there is no problem if they are conveyed vertically as shown in FIG.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained in detail above, according to the present invention, it is no longer necessary to take out the IP from the cassette, and stable reading can be performed without scratching or damaging it, which has practical effects. is big.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 2 (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) illustrate the operation of the embodiment of ), (B), (C), (D), and (E) in the order shown. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the stage and the transport mechanism, and Figures 4 (A) and (B) are the stages. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 6 is a diagram of another embodiment of the transport machine, and Fig. 7 is a diagram of the transport machine. FIG. 8 is a diagram of still another embodiment of the conveyor, FIG. 9 is a diagram of another embodiment of the mechanism for holding the cassette on the stage, and FIG. 10 is a diagram for holding the cassette on the stage. Mechanism diagram 1-1
The figure is a diagram of another embodiment in which the conveyance mechanism is vertically conveyed, and FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional image information reading device. 1...Cassette 2...IPll...Stage 12...Transporter 13...Excitation light source
14... Excitation light 15... Erasing lamp

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A cassette containing a stimulable phosphor sheet (2) (
1) and the stimulable phosphor sheet (2) before processing.
), and a stage (11) on which the cassette (1) is placed, comprising a means (33) for pulling out the cassette (1) and storing it in the cassette (1) again after processing; and a stage (11) on which the cassette (1) is placed; an excitation light source (13) that generates excitation light (14) to read the stimulable phosphor sheet (2); and a stage (11) for exposing the stimulable phosphor sheet (2) to the excitation light (14) from the excitation light source (13). ) and a conveying means (12) for moving the image information and returning it to the original position after reading is completed. 2. The radiation image information reading device according to claim 1, further comprising erasing means (15) for erasing remaining image information after reading the image information using the excitation light (14).