U.S. patent application number 16/272220 was filed with the patent office on 2019-06-06 for radiation image capturing system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Konica Minolta, Inc.. Invention is credited to Tomonori GIDO, Hirotaka HARA, Wataru MATSUSHITA, Hidetake TEZUKA, Kenroku UBUKATA, Fumikage UCHIDA, Hisashi YONEKAWA.
Application Number | 20190167224 16/272220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54148397 |
Filed Date | 2019-06-06 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190167224 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MATSUSHITA; Wataru ; et
al. |
June 6, 2019 |
RADIATION IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM
Abstract
A radiation image capturing system includes a capturing room and
a console. The capturing room includes a bucky apparatus, a
radiation irradiating apparatus and a detecting unit. A plurality
of portable radiation image capturing apparatuses can be loaded on
the bucky apparatus. The radiation irradiating apparatus is able to
simultaneously irradiate radiation to the plurality of portable
radiation image capturing apparatuses. The console is associated
with the capturing room and obtains capturing order information.
The console allows the portable radiation image capturing
apparatuses to advance to a capturing possible state when the
console judges that capturing in the capturing order information is
long length capturing. The console allows only one of the portable
radiation image capturing apparatuses to advance to the capturing
possible state when the console judges that the capturing is not
the long length capturing.
Inventors: |
MATSUSHITA; Wataru; (Tokyo,
JP) ; UBUKATA; Kenroku; (Tokyo, JP) ; TEZUKA;
Hidetake; (Tokyo, JP) ; GIDO; Tomonori;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) ; UCHIDA; Fumikage; (Asaka-shi,
JP) ; YONEKAWA; Hisashi; (Tokyo, JP) ; HARA;
Hirotaka; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Konica Minolta, Inc. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
54148397 |
Appl. No.: |
16/272220 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14856951 |
Sep 17, 2015 |
|
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16272220 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 6/548 20130101;
A61B 6/566 20130101; A61B 6/4233 20130101; A61B 6/545 20130101;
A61B 6/4266 20130101; A61B 6/5241 20130101; A61B 6/4405
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 6/00 20060101
A61B006/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 17, 2014 |
JP |
2014-188391 |
Claims
1. A controlling apparatus used to control a radiation image
capturing system which is able to perform long length capturing by
irradiating radiation on a plurality of radiation image capturing
apparatuses at the same time, the system comprising a plurality of
radiation image capturing apparatuses and a radiation irradiating
apparatus which irradiates radiation on the radiation image
capturing apparatuses, the controlling apparatus comprising: a
controller, wherein, an interlock release signal transmitted when
the radiation image capturing apparatuses are able to perform
capturing can be received by the controller from each of the
plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses, and when the
interlock release signal is received from all of the radiation
image capturing apparatuses, the controller provides to the
radiation irradiating apparatus permission to irradiate
radiation.
2. The controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an
interlock release signal is transmitted to the radiation
irradiating apparatus as the permission to irradiate radiation.
3. A radiation image capturing system comprising: a plurality of
radiation image capturing apparatuses; and a radiation irradiating
apparatus which irradiates radiation on the radiation image
capturing apparatuses, wherein, long length capturing can be
performed by irradiating the radiation on the plurality of
radiation image capturing apparatuses at the same time, the
plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses can transmit to
the radiation irradiating apparatus an interlock release signal
when each of the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatus
are able to perform capturing, and the radiation irradiating
apparatus is able to irradiate radiation when the interlock release
signal is received from all of the radiation image capturing
apparatuses.
4. A radiation image capturing system comprising: a plurality of
radiation image capturing apparatuses; a radiation irradiating
apparatus which irradiates radiation on the radiation image
capturing apparatuses; and a controlling apparatus which is able to
receive from each of the plurality of radiation image capturing
apparatuses an interlock release signal transmitted when the
radiation image capturing apparatuses are able to perform
capturing, and which transmits to the radiation irradiating
apparatus the interlock release signal when the interlock release
signal is received from all of the radiation image capturing
apparatuses, wherein, long length capturing can be performed by
irradiating the radiation on the plurality of radiation image
capturing apparatuses at the same time, and the radiation
irradiating apparatus is able to irradiate radiation when the
interlock release signal is received from the controlling
apparatus.
5. A radiation image capturing system comprising: a plurality of
radiation image capturing apparatuses; a radiation irradiating
apparatus which irradiates radiation on the radiation image
capturing apparatuses; and a controlling apparatus which is able to
receive an irradiating start signal transmitted when the radiation
irradiating apparatus starts irradiating radiation and which
transmits an interlock an interlock release signal to the radiation
irradiating apparatus when an irradiating start signal is received
from the radiation irradiating apparatus, wherein, long length
capturing can be performed by irradiating the radiation on the
plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses at the same
time, the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses
operate with a non-liking method in which the plurality of
radiation image capturing apparatuses advance to a charge
accumulating state when start of irradiation or radiation is
detected and capturing is performed, and the radiation irradiating
apparatus is able to irradiate radiation when the interlock release
signal is received from the controlling apparatus.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/856,951, filed Sep. 17,
2015, which is incorporated herein by reference and which claimed
priority to Japanese Application No. 2014-188391, filed Sep. 17,
2014, priority to which is also claimed herein.
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a radiation image capturing
system. Specifically, the present invention relates to a radiation
image capturing system which can perform long length capturing.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0003] As a method of capturing a relatively large range such as
the upper half or the lower half of the patient, there is known
long length capturing in which a radiation image capturing
apparatus (Flat Panel Detector) is irradiated with radiation from a
radiation irradiating apparatus while changing the position along a
body axis of the captured subject and a plurality of radiation
images are captured. Usually, the plural radiation images obtained
by the long length capturing are connected by image processing to
create one radiation image. Various configurations are known as a
configuration of a radiation image capturing system to perform such
long length capturing. As one example, the radiation image
capturing system as described in FIG. 22 is known.
[0004] In other words, the radiation image capturing system
positions a collimator 102 including an opening (not shown) between
a radiation irradiating apparatus 100 and a radiation image
capturing apparatus 101. The position of the opening of the
collimator 102 is changed by moving the collimator 102 in the body
axis direction of a subject H according to the position of the
radiation image capturing apparatus 101 being moved along the body
axis A of the subject H without changing the irradiating direction
and the irradiating region of the radiation from the radiation
irradiating apparatus S. An irradiating field of the radiation
irradiated from the radiation irradiating apparatus S is limited by
the opening of the collimator 102 to only the necessary range
including the radiation image capturing apparatus 101. In this
state, the radiation is irradiated from the radiation irradiating
apparatus S each time the radiation image capturing apparatus 101
changes the position, in other words, radiation is irradiated a
plurality of times to capture a plurality of radiation images. A
console (not shown) connects the plurality of radiation images to
generate one radiation image of long length capturing (for example,
see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.
2013-226243).
[0005] According to FIG. 22, the radiation image capturing
apparatus 101 is moved to two positions vertically to perform
capturing. The number of positions the radiation image capturing
apparatus 101 is moved to is suitably determined according to the
size of the radiation image capturing apparatus 101 used, the
capturing site, or the like. Although not shown, the capturing is
not limited to a state in which the subject H is standing, in other
words a standing position as shown in FIG. 22. For example, similar
long length capturing can be performed when capturing is performed
in a state in which the subject H is lying down, in other words a
lying position.
[0006] However, although not limited to the radiation image
capturing system using the collimator 102 as shown in FIG. 22, at
least in the conventional radiation image capturing system which
performs long length capturing by capturing a plurality of
radiation images while moving the radiation image capturing
apparatus 101 in the body axis A direction of the subject H, the
problem of the subject H moving while the radiation image capturing
apparatus 101 moves occurs to some extent (in other words, the
problem of body movement). When body movement occurs in even one of
the plurality of radiation images, even if the one radiation image
is captured again and the image combining processing is performed,
it is difficult to obtain a suitable long length image. Therefore,
all of the plurality of radiation images need to be captured again
and the radiation amount on the patient increases.
[0007] In order to solve such problem, it is effective to configure
the later described radiation image capturing system of the present
invention (see later described FIG. 1), in which a plurality of
radiation image capturing apparatuses are positioned aligned in the
body axis direction (see A in FIG. 1) of the subject and
irradiation is irradiated only once (in other words, one shot) from
the radiation irradiating apparatus to the radiation image
capturing apparatus to capture a plurality of radiation images.
[0008] However, from the point of cost effectiveness, it is not
easy to newly introduce in facilities such as a hospital a
capturing stage to be dedicated to long length capturing provided
with a plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses in the
body axis direction of the subject in advance. That is, such
capturing stage is costly and the frequency of capturing long
length capturing is not high compared to frequency of normal
capturing (hereinafter, simple capturing) in which radiation is
irradiated once from the radiation irradiating apparatus to one
radiation image capturing apparatus.
[0009] Therefore, it is preferable to configure a radiation image
capturing system in which long length capturing can be performed by
using a bucky apparatus for long length capturing already provided
in the facilities in which a plurality of CR (Computer Radiography)
cassettes are loaded, or cheaply manufacturing a bucky apparatus
for long length capturing and loading the necessary number in a
portable (also called a cassette type) radiation image capturing
apparatus. According to such configuration, the portable radiation
image capturing apparatus which can be used in simple capturing
which is the main operation in the radiology department can also be
used for long length capturing. Therefore, it is possible to
enhance cost effectiveness and capturing effectiveness of the
entire radiation image capturing system of the radiology
department.
[0010] However, according to such configuration, various defects
may occur in the radiation image capturing system since both simple
capturing and long length capturing can be performed using the same
portable radiation image capturing apparatus.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the
above problems, and one of the main objects is to provide a
radiation image capturing system in which both simple capturing and
long length capturing can be accurately performed using a portable
radiation image capturing apparatus.
[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a radiation image capturing system including:
[0013] a capturing room including: [0014] a bucky apparatus on
which a plurality of portable radiation image capturing apparatuses
can be loaded; [0015] a radiation irradiating apparatus which is
able to simultaneously irradiate radiation to the plurality of
portable radiation image capturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky
apparatus; and [0016] a detecting unit which detects entry of the
portable radiation image capturing apparatus; and [0017] a console
which is associated with the capturing room, which is able to
control the portable radiation image capturing apparatus detected
by the detecting unit, and which obtains capturing order
information and generates a radiation image based on image data
transferred from the portable radiation image capturing apparatus
to be associated with the capturing order information;
[0018] wherein,
[0019] the console allows the plurality of portable radiation image
capturing apparatuses in the associated capturing room to advance
to a capturing possible state when the console judges based on the
capturing order information that capturing in the capturing order
information is long length capturing which is performed with the
plurality of portable radiation image capturing apparatuses loaded
on the bucky apparatus; and
[0020] the console allows only one of the portable radiation image
capturing apparatuses in the associated capturing room to advance
to the capturing possible state when the console judges based on
the capturing order information that the capturing in the capturing
order information is not the long length capturing.
[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a radiation image capturing system including:
[0022] a capturing room including: [0023] a bucky apparatus on
which a plurality of portable radiation image capturing apparatuses
can be loaded; [0024] a radiation irradiating apparatus which is
able to simultaneously irradiate radiation to the plurality of
portable radiation image capturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky
apparatus; and [0025] a detecting unit which detects entry of the
portable radiation image capturing apparatus; and [0026] a console
which is associated with the capturing room, which is able to
control the portable radiation image capturing apparatus detected
by the detecting unit, and which obtains capturing order
information and generates a radiation image based on image data
transferred from the portable radiation image capturing apparatus
to be associated with the capturing order information; [0027]
wherein, [0028] the bucky apparatus includes a reading unit which
reads identification information of the portable radiation image
capturing apparatus loaded in a loading position in which the
portable radiation image capturing apparatus is loaded, and the
bucky apparatus notifies the identification information to the
console when the reading unit reads the identification information
of the portable radiation image capturing apparatus loaded in the
loading position; [0029] the console judges whether long length
capturing which is performed with the plurality of portable
radiation image capturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky apparatus
can be performed based on the identification information of the
portable radiation image capturing apparatus loaded in the loading
position, the identification information notified from the bucky
apparatus; [0030] the console allows the plurality of portable
radiation image capturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky apparatus
to advance to a capturing possible state when the console judges
that the long length capturing can be performed; and [0031] the
console notifies that the long length capturing cannot be performed
when the console judges that the long length capturing cannot be
performed.
[0032] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a radiation image capturing system including:
[0033] a plurality of capturing rooms including: [0034] a radiation
irradiating apparatus which is able to irradiate radiation to a
portable radiation image capturing apparatus; and
[0035] a detecting unit which detects entry of the portable
radiation image capturing apparatus;
[0036] a console which is associated with the capturing room, which
is able to control the portable radiation image capturing apparatus
detected by the detecting unit, and which obtains capturing order
information and generates a radiation image based on image data
transferred from the portable radiation image capturing apparatus
to be associated with the capturing order information; and
[0037] a management apparatus which manages the portable radiation
image capturing apparatus in the capturing room based on
information of the portable radiation image capturing apparatus
detected by the detecting unit provided in each capturing room,
[0038] wherein,
[0039] any or all of the capturing rooms are provided with a bucky
apparatus in which the plurality of portable radiation image
capturing apparatuses can be loaded;
[0040] the management apparatus judges in which capturing room the
long length capturing can be performed based on information of the
portable radiation image capturing apparatus and the bucky
apparatus in the capturing room and notifies to the console the
capturing room which can perform long length capturing in reply to
a request from the console which judges based on the capturing
order information that the capturing of the capturing order
information is the long length capturing which is performed with
the plurality of portable radiation image capturing apparatuses
loaded on the bucky apparatus; and
[0041] the console notifies the information of the capturing room
notified from the management apparatus.
[0042] According to the radiation image capturing system of the
present invention, it is possible to accurately perform both simple
capturing and long length capturing using the portable radiation
image capturing apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given hereinbelow and the appended
drawings, and thus are not intended to define the limits of the
present invention, and wherein;
[0044] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a radiation
image capturing system according to the present embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of
the radiation image capturing system in which a plurality of
capturing rooms are associated with one or a plurality of
consoles;
[0046] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which
the radiation image capturing apparatus is inserted in a cradle and
connectors are connected to each other;
[0047] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in
which a tag reader is provided as a detecting unit;
[0048] FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an emitting switch of a
radiation generating apparatus;
[0049] FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a button of the emitting switch
of the radiation generating apparatus half pushed;
[0050] FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a button of the emitting switch
of the radiation generating apparatus fully pushed;
[0051] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of
a portable radiation image capturing apparatus;
[0052] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an equivalent circuit of a
portable radiation image capturing apparatus;
[0053] FIG. 8 is a timing chart describing timing of applying on
voltage to each scanning line when capturing is performed in a
linking method;
[0054] FIG. 9 is a timing chart describing timing of applying on
voltage to each scanning line in a non-linking method in which
start of irradiation of radiation is detected based on leak
data;
[0055] FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the processing sequence
shown in FIG. 8 is repeated and readout processing of offset data
is performed;
[0056] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of capturing order
information;
[0057] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a selection
screen which displays capturing order information;
[0058] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which
displays each icon corresponding to each piece of capturing order
information;
[0059] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a selection
screen displaying an icon corresponding to the radiation image
capturing apparatus in a capturing room;
[0060] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of display of an
icon corresponding to a bucky apparatus in which the radiation
image capturing apparatus is loaded displayed on the selection
screen shown in FIG. 14;
[0061] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of display when the
icon corresponding to the radiation image capturing apparatus is
selected on the selection screen shown in FIG. 14;
[0062] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a preview image and a radiation
image are displayed on an icon displayed with focus on the screen
shown in FIG. 13;
[0063] FIG. 18A is a diagram describing true image data calculated
for each radiation image capturing apparatus in long length
capturing;
[0064] FIG. 18B is a diagram describing combining true image data
calculated for each radiation image capturing apparatus in long
length capturing to generate long length image data;
[0065] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a state in which a connector of
the bucky apparatus is connected to the connector of the radiation
image capturing apparatus;
[0066] FIG. 20A is a diagram showing a state in which 3 radiation
image capturing apparatuses are loaded on the bucky apparatus for
long length capturing;
[0067] FIG. 20B is a diagram showing a state in which the radiation
image capturing apparatus is not loaded on a center loading
position of the bucky apparatus for long length capturing;
[0068] FIG. 21A is a diagram describing a state in which the 3
radiation image capturing apparatuses are loaded on the bucky
apparatus for long length capturing in a center aligned position
and an irradiating field in this state;
[0069] FIG. 21B is a diagram describing a state in which the 3
radiation image capturing apparatuses are loaded on the bucky
apparatus for long length capturing in a right aligned position and
an irradiating field in this state; and
[0070] FIG. 22 is a diagram describing a conventional configuration
of the radiation image capturing system which performs long length
capturing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0071] An embodiment of a radiation image capturing system of the
present invention is described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
1 is a diagram showing a configuration of the radiation image
capturing system of the present embodiment.
[0072] According to the description below, the basic configuration
of the radiation image capturing system 50 of the present
embodiment includes a capturing room Ra associated with a console C
one to one as shown in FIG. 1. The description can be applied to
the configuration including a plurality of capturing rooms Ra (Ra1
to Ra3) associated with one or a plurality of consoles C (C1, C2)
through a network N, etc. as shown in FIG. 2.
[0073] FIG. 1 describes only a bucky apparatus MA for long length
capturing being provided in the capturing room Ra. Alternatively, a
bucky apparatus 51B for standing position capturing used in simple
capturing and a bucky apparatus 51C (see FIG. 2) for lying position
capturing (see FIG. 2) can be provided in the capturing room Ra. In
other words, when the capturing room Ra is one room, a bucky
apparatus 51A for long length capturing is to be provided in the
capturing room Ra, and other modality provided in the capturing
room Ra can be suitably determined. When there are a plurality of
capturing rooms Ra as shown in FIG. 2, the bucky apparatus 51A for
long length capturing is to be provided in at least any one of the
capturing rooms Ra. The other modality provided in the above
capturing room Ra and other capturing rooms Ra is suitably
determined. The bucky apparatus 51A for long length capturing can
be provided in all capturing rooms Ra.
[0074] As described above, the bucky apparatus MA for long length
capturing can be a bucky apparatus for one long length shot in
which a plurality of CR cassettes or film cassettes can be loaded
or a bucky apparatus including a conducting or communicating
function. The method of use is described in detail below. FIG. 1
and FIG. 2 describe providing a bucky apparatus 51A for long length
capturing in a standing position in the capturing room Ra as the
bucky apparatus 51A for long length capturing. Although
illustration is omitted, the bucky apparatus for long length
capturing in a lying position can be provided in the capturing room
Ra. The present invention can be applied when the radiation image
capturing system 50 is provided with only the bucky apparatus for
long length capturing in a lying position as the bucky apparatus
51A for long length capturing.
[Basic Configuration of Radiation Image Capturing System]
[0075] As shown in FIG. 1, according to the present embodiment, the
bucky apparatus 51A in which a plurality of radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 can be loaded to perform long length
capturing is provided in the capturing room Ra (when a plurality of
capturing rooms Ra are provided, at least one capturing room Ra).
The plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 can be
loaded in the cassette holder 51a of the bucky apparatus 51A for
long length capturing so as to be aligned in a body axis A
direction of a subject H.
[0076] FIG. 1 shows 3 radiation image capturing apparatuses 1
loaded on the cassette holder 51a of the bucky apparatus 51A for
long length capturing. However, the number of radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 loaded on the bucky apparatus 51A for long
length capturing is not limited to 3. The configuration of the
bucky apparatus 51A for long length capturing and the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 is described later.
[0077] A radiation irradiating apparatus 52 is provided in the
capturing room Ra. As shown in FIG. 1, the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52 used in long length capturing is a wide angle
irradiating type which can simultaneously irradiate radiation on
the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded on
the bucky apparatus 52A through the subject H (in other words, with
one irradiation of radiation (one shot)). The radiation irradiating
apparatus 52 for long length capturing can also be used as the
radiation irradiating apparatus 52 for standing position capturing
or lying position capturing when performing simple capturing. In
this case, when simple capturing is performed, the irradiating
field of radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52 for long length capturing can be limited with the
collimator and the radiation can be irradiated.
[0078] A repeater 54 is provided in the capturing room Ra to relay
communication between the apparatuses inside and outside the
capturing room Ra. According to the present embodiment, an access
point 53 is provided in the repeater 54 so that image data D,
signals, etc., can be transmitted and received by the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 wirelessly. The repeater 54 is
connected to a radiation irradiating apparatus 55 and console C. A
transducer (not shown) which converts the signal transmitted from
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1, console C, etc. to the
radiation irradiating apparatus 52 for LAN (Local Area Network)
communication to a signal for the radiation irradiating apparatus
52 and vice versa is included in the repeater 54.
[0079] According to the present embodiment, a cradle 55 is
connected to the repeater 54. As shown in FIG. 3, when the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 brought into the capturing
room Ra is inserted in the cradle 55 and a later described
connector 27 (see later described FIG. 6) of the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 and a connector 55a of the cradle 55 are
connected, a cassette ID, etc. which is identification information
of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is notified to the
repeater 54. When the cassette ID of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 is transmitted from the cradle 55, the repeater 54
notifies the cassette ID to the console C or a later described
management apparatus S (see FIG. 2).
[0080] The cradle 55 is originally used for storing and charging
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1, and according to the
present embodiment, the cradle 55 can include a function for
charging. Moreover, an SSID of the access point 53 provided in the
capturing room R can be notified from the cradle 55, the console C,
etc. to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 when the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is inserted in the cradle 55.
FIG. 3 shows the cradle 55 provided with 2 inserting openings to
insert the radiation image capturing apparatus 1. However, the
inserting opening provided can be 1 or can be 3 or more. The cradle
55 can be provided in either the capturing room Ra or a front room
Rb. When the cradle 55 is provided in the capturing room Ra, the
cradle 55 is provided in a position where the radiation irradiated
from the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 does not reach the
cradle 55, for example, a corner of the capturing room Ra.
[0081] Instead of using the cradle 55 of the present embodiment as
the detecting unit which detects entrance of the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra or the front room
Rb, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, a tag reader 60 can be
provided near the door of the front room Rb and the capturing room
Ra.
[0082] In this case, a tag (not shown) such as an RFID tag (Radio
Frequency Identification) is included in the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 in advance, and specific information such as
the cassette ID of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is
stored in the tag. When the radiation image capturing apparatus 1
passes near the tag reader 60 and is brought in to or out of the
front room Rb and the capturing room Ra, the tag reader 60 can read
the information such as the cassette ID from the tag of the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1, and notify the cassette ID
to the console C or the management apparatus S (see FIG. 2) through
the repeater 54.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 1, an operation table 57 of the radiation
irradiating apparatus is provided in the front room (operation
room) Rb and an emitting switch 56 is provided on the operation
table 57 to be operated by the user such as the radiology
technician, etc. to instruct start of irradiation of radiation to
the radiation irradiating apparatus 52. Tube current, irradiating
time, etc. for the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 can be set on
the operation table 57. According to the present embodiment, the
setting of the tube current, etc. can also be performed on the
console C.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 5A, a button 56a is provided in the
emitting switch 56, when the user such as the radiology technician,
etc. performs a first operation (half push) on the button 56a of
the emitting switch 56 as shown in FIG. 5B, the radiation
irradiating apparatus 52 starts. As shown in FIG. 5C, when the user
performs the second operation on the button 56a of the emitting
switch 56 (full push), the radiation irradiating apparatus 52
irradiates radiation. The irradiation of radiation from the
radiation irradiating apparatus 52 is described later.
[Portable Radiation Image Capturing Apparatus]
[0085] Here, before describing the console C, the portable
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 used in the radiation image
capturing system is described. Below, the portable radiation image
capturing apparatus is simply referred to as the radiation image
capturing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the outer
appearance of the radiation image capturing apparatus.
[0086] According to the present embodiment, the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 includes a case 2 with a later described
radiation detecting element 7, etc. stored inside, and a power
source switch 25, a switching switch 26, the above-described
connector 27, and an indicator 28 are provided on one side of the
case 2. Although illustration is omitted, according to the present
embodiment, an antenna 29 (see later described FIG. 7) for wireless
communication with external devices or systems is provided on the
side opposite of the case 2. The radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 uses the antenna 29 when communicating wirelessly with
external devices or systems. When wired communication is performed
with external devices or systems, a cable (not shown) is connected
to the connector 27 for communication.
[0087] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an equivalent circuit of
the radiation image capturing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 7, a
plurality of radiation detecting elements 7 are arrayed
two-dimensionally (matrix shape) on a sensor substrate (not shown)
in the radiation image capturing apparatus 1. Each radiation
detecting element 7 generates charge according to the amount of
irradiated radiation. A bias line 9 is connected to each radiation
detecting element 7, and the bias line 9 is connected to a
connecting line 10. The connecting line 10 is connected to a bias
supply 14, and a reverse bias voltage can be applied to each
radiation detecting element 7 from the bias supply 14 through the
bias line 9, etc.
[0088] A thin film transistor (TFT) 8 is connected to each
radiation detecting element 7 as a switch element, and the TFT 8 is
connected to the signal line 6. In a scanning driving unit 15, on
voltage and off voltage supplied from a power source circuit 15a
through a line 15c are switched at a gate driver 15b and are
applied to each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5. Each TFT 8 is
turned on when an on voltage is applied through the scanning line
5, and the charge accumulated in the radiation detecting element 7
is released in the signal line 6. Each TFT 8 is turned off when an
off voltage is applied through the scanning line 5, and the
conduction between the radiation detecting element 7 and the signal
line 6 is cut so that the charge generated in the radiation
detecting element 7 is accumulated in the radiation detecting
element 7.
[0089] A plurality of readout circuits 17 are provided in a readout
IC 16, and a signal line 6 is connected to each readout circuit 17.
In processing of generating the image data D, when charge is
released from the radiation detecting element 7, the charge flows
into the readout circuit 17 through the signal line 6 and a voltage
value according to the amount of charge flown in is output from an
amplifying circuit 18. The correlated double sampling circuit 19
(described as "CDS" in FIG. 7) reads out the voltage value output
from the amplifying circuit 18 as the image data D with an analog
value and outputs the image data D to the downstream side. The
output image data D is sequentially transmitted to an A/D convertor
20 through an analog multiplexer 21. The image data D is
sequentially converted to a digital value in the A/D converter 20.
The image data D is output to the storage unit 23 and sequentially
stored.
[0090] The control unit 22 includes a computer in which a CPU
(Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random
Access Memory), an input/output interface, etc. (all not shown) are
connected by a bus, a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the
like. A dedicated control circuit can also be configured. A storage
unit 23 including a SRAM (Static RAM) and a SDRAM (Synchronous
DRAM), etc. is connected to the control unit 22. A communication
unit 30 which communicates by a wired or wireless format with
external devices or systems through the antenna 29 or the connector
27 is connected to the control unit 22. A battery 24, etc. which
supplies power necessary for each functional unit such as the
scanning driving unit 15, the readout circuit 17, the storage unit
23, the bias supply 14, etc. is connected to the control unit
22.
[0091] The radiation image capturing apparatus 1 according to the
present embodiment can be used for capturing loaded on a bucky
apparatus 51. Although illustration is omitted, the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 can also be used for capturing independently
without loading on the bucky apparatus 51. For example, the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 can be placed against the
body of the patient who is the subject or inserted between the
patient and the bed.
[0092] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it
is assumed that the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is used
for capturing loaded on the bucky apparatus 51, in which CR
cassettes are loaded, already provided in the facility. Therefore,
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is formed in a size
conforming to the CR cassette which is a JIS standard size for a
conventional screen/film cassette (JIS Z 4905, corresponding to
international standard IEC 60406). However, the present invention
can also be applied when the radiation image capturing apparatus 1
is not formed in this size.
[Power Consumption Mode of Radiation Image Capturing Apparatus]
[0093] As described later, according to the present embodiment, the
control unit 22 switches power consumption modes of the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 between at least a capturing possible
mode (also called a wake up mode) in which power is provided to
each functional unit including the scanning driving unit 15 and the
readout circuit 17 and capturing is possible or a power save mode
(also called a sleep mode) in which power consumption is smaller
than the capturing possible mode and capturing cannot be
performed.
[0094] According to the present embodiment, the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 automatically switches the power consumption
mode from the capturing possible mode to the power save mode when,
for example, the next capturing is not performed even if a
predetermined amount of time passes after capturing ends. Moreover,
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 switches the power
consumption mode between the capturing possible mode and the power
save mode when a later described switching signal is transmitted
from the console C or the user such as the radiology technician,
etc. operates the switching switch 26 (see FIG. 6).
[Processing Performed in Radiation Image Capturing Apparatus]
[0095] Next, processing performed in the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 in capturing (simple capturing and long length
capturing) is described. Here, processing performed in the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is different depending on
whether capturing is performed while linking the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 and the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 by
transmitting and receiving signals (the capturing method referred
to as linking method) or capturing is performed without
transmitting and receiving signals between the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 and the radiation irradiating apparatus 52
(the capturing method referred to as non-linking method). Each
method is described briefly.
[Processing in Linking Method]
[0096] In a linking method, for example, as shown in the left side
portion of FIG. 8, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1
performs reset processing of each radiation detecting element 7, in
which on voltage is sequentially applied to each line L1 to Lx of
the scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15b (see FIG. 7), each TFT
8 is sequentially turned on, and the charge remaining in each
radiation detecting element 7 is removed.
[0097] As described above, the emitting switch 56 (see FIG. 1) is
operated by the user such as the radiology technician, etc., and
when the second operation, in other words, full push is performed
on the emitting switch 56, the irradiating start signal is
transmitted from the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 to the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1. When the irradiating start
signal is received, as shown in FIG. 8, the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 ends the reset processing when the on voltage
is applied to the last line Lx of the scanning line 5 and the reset
processing of each radiation detecting element 7 is performed.
[0098] Then, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 applies off
voltage to each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gate
driver 15b to turn off each TFT 8, and advances to the charge
accumulating state in which the charge generated in each radiation
detecting element 7 by the irradiation of radiation is accumulated
in each radiation detecting element 7. At the same time, an
interlock release signal is transmitted to the radiation
irradiating apparatus 52. The radiation irradiating apparatus 52
irradiates radiation when the interlock release signal is received.
The diagonal line portion shown in FIG. 8 represents the term that
the radiation is irradiated from the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52.
[0099] When a predetermined charging time .tau. passes after
advancing to the charge accumulating state, as shown in the right
side portion of FIG. 8, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1
sequentially applies on voltage to each line L1 to Lx of the
scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15b and the image data D is
read out from each radiation detecting element 7 to perform
processing of generating the image data D.
[Processing in Non-Linking Method]
[0100] On the other hand, in the non-linking method, as described
above, the signal is not transmitted and received between the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 and the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52. Therefore, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1
itself needs to detect that the radiation is irradiated from the
radiation irradiating apparatus 52. As a method for the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 to detect irradiation of radiation, for
example, methods as described in the following documents such as
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-219538,
WO 2011/135917, WO 2011/152093 can be employed. See above documents
for details.
[0101] Described below is processing performed in the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 in the non-linking method. According to
WO 2011/135917, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 detects
the start of irradiation of radiation based on the leak data dleak
and the value calculated from the leak data dleak. The off voltage
is applied to each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the
gate driver 15b, and the charge which leaks from each radiation
detecting element 7 through each TFT 8 in the off state to the
signal line 6 is read out with the readout circuit 17. The read out
data is the leak data dleak. When the radiation is irradiated on
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1, the increase of the
value of the readout leak data dleak can be used to detect the
start of irradiation of radiation.
[0102] As described above, the leak data dleak is data read out
when each TFT 8 is in an off state. Dark charge (also called dark
current) continues to accumulate in the radiation detecting element
7 when each TFT 8 remains in the off state. Therefore, as shown in
the left side portion of FIG. 9, when the readout processing (see L
in FIG. 9) of the leak data dleak is performed, on voltage is
sequentially applied on each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5
from the gate driver 15b to perform reset processing (see R in FIG.
9) of each radiation detecting element 7 alternately with the
readout processing.
[0103] When the user such as the radiology technician, etc.
operates the emitting switch 56 and radiation is irradiated from
the radiation irradiating apparatus 52, the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 detects start of irradiation of radiation
based on the leak data dleak, etc. read out by readout processing
of leak data dleak of a certain turn (see "detect" in FIG. 9).
[0104] Then, when the start of irradiation of radiation is
detected, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 applies off
voltage to each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gate
driver 15b and advances to the charge accumulating state. After
advancing to the charge accumulating state, when the predetermined
accumulating time .tau. passes, as shown in the right side portion
of FIG. 9, on voltage is sequentially applied to each line L1 to Lx
of the scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15b and the image data
D is read out from each radiation detecting element 7 as described
above. With this, the generating processing of the image data D is
performed.
[0105] FIG. 9 shows generating processing of image data D in which,
applying on voltage starts from the scanning line 5 (line L5 of
scanning line 5 in FIG. 9) on which on voltage is applied next
after the scanning line 5 (line L4 of scanning line 5 in FIG. 9) on
which on voltage is applied for reset processing (R) directly
before the read out processing (L) of leak data dleak detecting the
start of irradiation of radiation. Alternatively, similar to the
linking method (see FIG. 8), for example, on voltage can be
sequentially applied from the first line L1 of the scanning line 5
to perform generating processing of the image data D.
[Processing after generating processing of image data]
[0106] According to the present embodiment, in both the linking
method and the non-linking method, when the generating processing
of the image data D is performed as described above, the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 extracts the preview image data Dp at a
predetermined percentage from the readout image data D, and
transfers the extracted preview image data Dp to the console C. As
described later, according to the console C, the preview image is
generated based on the preview image data Dp transferred from the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1, and the preview image is
displayed on the display unit Ca.
[0107] When the preview image data Dp is extracted and transferred
to the console C, at the same time, the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 starts the readout processing of the offset data O as
shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 describes readout processing of the
offset data O in the linking method shown in FIG. 8.
[0108] In other words, when the generating processing of the image
data D, and the extracting and transferring processing of the
preview image data Dp is performed, then, as shown in the left side
portion of FIG. 10, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1
advances to the charge accumulating state after the reset
processing of each radiation detecting element 7 for one frame or a
predetermined number of frames. Then, in a state in which the
radiation is not irradiated to the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1, when accumulating time .tau. set at the same amount of
time as the above accumulating time .tau. passes, as shown in the
right side portion of FIG. 10, on voltage is sequentially applied
to each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gate driver
15, and offset data O is read out from each radiation detecting
element 7 similar to the generating processing of the image data
D.
[0109] As described above, other than the radiation not being
irradiated to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1, the
processing sequence the same as the processing sequence up to the
generating processing of the image data D is repeated to perform
the readout processing of the offset data O. Although illustration
is omitted, in the non-linking method shown in FIG. 9 also, the
processing sequence shown in FIG. 9 is repeated and the readout
processing of the offset data O is performed. The readout
processing of the offset data O can be performed before
capturing.
[0110] When the offset data O is read out as described above,
according to the present embodiment, when there is a transfer
request from the console C, the radiation image capturing apparatus
1 transfers the image data D other than the preview image data Dp
and the offset data O read out from each radiation detecting
element 7 to the console C. The image data D and the offset data O
can be immediately automatically transferred to the console C when
the readout processing of the offset data O ends.
[Configuration of Console]
[0111] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, according to the present
embodiment, the console C including a computer, etc. is provided in
the front room Rb (FIG. 1) or outside the capturing room (FIG. 2).
The console C can be provided in a suitable location.
[0112] A display unit Ca composed of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is provided in the console C, and
includes an input unit such as a mouse or keyboard which is not
shown. A storage unit Cb composed of the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is
connected to or included in the console C. Although illustration is
omitted, HIS (Hospital Information System), RIS (Radiology
Information System), PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication
System) are connected to the console C through the network N,
etc.
[Associating Console and Capturing Room]
[0113] There is no particular problem in the radiation image
capturing system 50 in which the capturing room Ra and the console
C are associated to each other in advance one to one as shown in
FIG. 1. However, as shown in FIG. 2, in an example in which a
plurality of capturing rooms Ra (Ra1 to Ra3) are associated to a
plurality of consoles C through the network N, etc., there is a
possibility that even if the user such as the radiology technician,
etc. performs a later described determination processing on the
console C for the image data D captured in the capturing room Ra1,
the image data D may be transferred to another console C and the
processing may not be reliably performed.
[0114] As shown in FIG. 2, in most configurations of the radiation
image capturing system 50 in which a plurality of capturing rooms
Ra and a plurality of consoles C are associated, the user such as
the radiology technician, etc. usually performs processing to
specify (or direct) the capturing room Ra to be used on one console
C before capturing. When the capturing room Ra is specified on a
certain console C, the image data D, etc. is not transferred to the
other consoles C from the specified capturing room Ra, and the
image data D is transferred to only the certain console C. With
this, the console C is associated with the capturing room Ra.
[0115] For example, in this case, when the capturing room Ra1 is
specified as the capturing room to be used on the console C1, if
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra1
is brought out and inserted in the cradle 55 of the capturing room
Ra2, since the capturing room Ra2 is not associated with the
console C1, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 cannot be
controlled by the console C1. Alternatively, if the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 is brought into the capturing room Ra1 and
inserted in the cradle 55 from another capturing room Ra or storage
room, etc., the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 can be
controlled by the console C1.
[Processing in Console]
[0116] Next, the processing in capturing in the console C is
described. The operation of the radiation image capturing system 50
according to the present embodiment is also described.
[0117] When the console C is operated by the user such as the
radiology technician, etc., the capturing order information
regarding the radiation image capturing to be performed is obtained
from the HIS or the RIS. According to the present embodiment, as
illustrated in the example of FIG. 11, the capturing order
information includes, patient information such as "patient ID" P2,
"patient name" P3, "sex" P4, "age" P5, and "department" P6, and
capturing condition such as "capturing site" P7, "capturing
direction" P8, and "posture" P9. The "capturing order ID" P1 is
automatically assigned to each piece of capturing order information
in the order that the capturing order is received.
[0118] When the console C obtains capturing order information, as
shown in FIG. 12, a list of the capturing order information is
displayed in the selection screen H1 on the display unit Ca. In the
selection screen H1, a capturing order information display column
h11 is provided to display a list of the capturing order
information and a selection button h12 is provided on the left side
of the capturing order information display column h11 to select the
capturing order information. An enter button h13 and a return
button h14 are provided below the capturing order information
display column h11.
[0119] When the user clicks the select button h12 to select the
capturing order information, and clicks the enter button h13, the
console C displays the screen H2 as shown in FIG. 13 on the display
unit Ca. FIG. 13 shows an example in which 4 pieces of capturing
order information regarding the patient "A" are selected from the
capturing order information shown in FIG. 12. In the example of the
screen H2 shown in FIG. 13, by clicking a "+" button or a "-"
button of each item on a display Ia for setting the irradiating
condition on the right side of the screen, the irradiating
condition such as tube voltage, tube current, irradiating time,
etc. of the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 can be changed and
set.
[0120] On the left side of the screen H2, the capturing site P7
(see FIG. 11 and FIG. 12) specified by the capturing order
information corresponding to an icon I displayed with focus as
described later is displayed on a human body model Ib shown so that
the user such as the radiology technician, etc. is able to
understand at a glance.
[0121] Each icon I corresponding to each selected capturing order
information is displayed in the center portion of the screen H2.
The icon I (icon 12 in FIG. 13) corresponding to the capturing to
be performed is displayed with focus so as to stand out. When the
user wants to perform capturing based on capturing order
information different from the capturing order information
corresponding to the icon I displayed with focus, the user can
click on another icon I corresponding to the different capturing
order information and make a selection to change the icon I
displayed with focus.
[0122] According to the example shown in FIG. 13, each icon I
displays an outline drawing showing modality of the bucky apparatus
51A for long length capturing or the bucky apparatus 51B, 51C for
standing position capturing or lying position capturing used in
simple capturing and the tube voltage, the tube current, the
irradiating time, etc. which are set.
[0123] It is possible to be able to specify in advance whether the
capturing is long length capturing or simple capturing as the
capturing condition in the capturing order information. In this
case, the console C determines the outline drawing displayed in
each icon I according to the capturing method specified in the
capturing order information, in other words, whether the long
length capturing or the simple capturing is specified.
[Determination of Long Length Capturing or Simple Capturing by
Console]
[0124] According to the present embodiment, it is possible to not
specify whether the capturing is performed by long length capturing
or simple capturing in the capturing order information (see FIG.
11). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, even if "entire lower
extremity" is specified as the capturing site P7, if the subject is
an adult, long length capturing needs to be performed, but if the
subject is an infant, the "entire lower extremity" can be captured
by simple capturing using one radiation image capturing apparatus
1. In other words, even if the "entire lower extremity" is
specified as the capturing site P7 on the capturing order
information, long length capturing is not always performed.
[0125] When long length capturing or simple capturing is not
specified on the capturing order information, the console C is
configured to judge whether the capturing is performed by long
length capturing or simple capturing based on the capturing order
information. In this case, the console C is configured to judge
whether the capturing is performed by long length capturing or
simple capturing based on age P5 of the patient who is the subject
or capturing site P7.
[0126] However, the judgment of the console C and the judgment by
the user such as the radiology technician, etc. may not always
match. Therefore, for example, when the console C judges to perform
the capturing by long length capturing based on the age P5 of the
patient, the capturing site P7, etc. specified in the capturing
order information as described above, the above judgment can be
displayed on the display unit Ca, and the judgment of the user can
be consulted by displaying a button icon showing "YES" or "NO" (not
shown).
[Selection of Radiation Image Capturing Apparatus to be Used]
[0127] Based on the operation by the user such as the radiology
technician, etc., the console C displays a selection screen H3 of
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 14 on
the display unit Ca. The icons I corresponding to the radiation
image capturing apparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra is displayed
on the selection screen H3 (according to the example of FIG. 14,
I-1a, I-1b, I-1c).
[0128] According to the present embodiment, when the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 is brought into the capturing room Ra,
and the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is inserted in the
cradle 55 or the tag of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1
is read by the tag reader 60, the cassette ID which is the
identification information of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 is transmitted from the above detecting units through
the repeater 54 to the console C. Therefore, the console C is able
to store the above in the predetermined storage region of the
storage unit Cb so as to be able to recognize and manage which
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is in the capturing room
Ra.
[0129] Then, when the predetermined operation on the screen H2 is
performed by the user as described above, the cassette ID of the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra is
read from the storage region of the storage unit Cb and the icon I
corresponding to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the
capturing room Ra is displayed on the selection screen H3.
[0130] According to the present embodiment, for example, as shown
in FIG. 14, when the icon I corresponding to the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 is displayed, the console C displays whether
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is an apparatus which
performs capturing by the above-described linking method or
non-linking method on the icon I. When it is possible to perform
capturing by either the linking method or the non-linking method,
this is notified by displaying, for example, "linking/non-linking".
The size (14.times.17 inches, etc.) of the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 is also displayed in the icon I.
[0131] Below, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 which is a
type performing capturing with a linking method is referred to as
linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1, and the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 which is a type performing
capturing with a non-linking method is referred to as non-linking
method radiation image capturing apparatus 1. As described above,
in addition to the capturing method (linking method or non-linking
method) and size, for example, the resolution, scintillator type,
etc. of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 can also be
displayed in the icon I, and the content to be displayed can be
suitably determined.
[0132] Although illustration is omitted, instead of or in addition
to displaying the capturing method, size, etc. of the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 as characters, etc. in the icon I as
shown in FIG. 14, it is possible to display the above by color or
design. In other words, for example, the linking method radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 is displayed with blue, the non-linking
method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 can be displayed with
red, and each of the following sizes of 14.times.17 inches,
14.times.14 inches, 17.times.17 inches, etc. is displayed by design
such as rectangle (solid colored), stripe, dots, etc.
[0133] As described above, when the color or design representing
the capturing method and the size of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 are displayed in the icon I corresponding to the
radiation image capturing apparatus, compared to when only the
characters are displayed, the user such as the radiology
technician, etc. is able to understand the capturing method and the
size of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 at a glance.
Therefore, the possibility that the user selects the wrong
capturing method or the size of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 can be decreased. Since the same color, design, etc. is
displayed in a predetermined position such as the side face of the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1, etc. (see FIG. 6), the user
such as the radiology technician, etc. is able to recognize the
capturing method, size, etc. of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 by color, design, etc., and the possibility that the
capturing method, size, etc. of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 is mistaken and the wrong radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 being used can be reduced.
[0134] According to the present embodiment, the console C displays
the icon I corresponding to the modality in the capturing room Ra
on the selection screen H3. FIG. 14 shows an example in which the
bucky apparatuses 51A, 51B, and 51C for long length capturing,
simple capturing, and lying position capturing are provided in the
capturing room Ra as the modality. Alternatively, for example, when
only the bukcy apparatus 51A for long length capturing is provided,
only the icon I-51A corresponding to the bucky apparatus 51A for
long length capturing is displayed.
[0135] Here, when the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is not
loaded, for example, the frame of the icon I corresponding to the
bucky apparatuses 51 is displayed with broken lines as shown in
FIG. 14. When the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is loaded,
for example, the frame is displayed with solid lines as shown in
FIG. 15 and the capturing method and the size of the loaded
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is displayed nearby.
[0136] According to the present embodiment, the user such as the
radiology technician, etc. is able to select the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 to be used in the capturing to be performed,
in other words, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 used in
the capturing corresponding to the icon I (icon 12 shown in FIG.
13) displayed with focus as shown in FIG. 13 by clicking the icon I
corresponding to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 on the
selection screen H3.
[0137] Then, when the icon I corresponding to the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 is selected on the selection screen H3, for
example, as shown in FIG. 16, the selected icon I is displayed
differently from the display of other icons I such as with color
(see icon I-1c displayed with diagonal lines in FIG. 16). Such
display shows that the icon I is selected.
[0138] The console C is able to control the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 to switch the above-described power
consumption mode. In other words, when the icon I is selected on
the selection screen H3, and the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 is selected, the console C transmits a switching signal
to the selected radiation image capturing apparatus 1, and the
power consumption mode of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1
is switched from power save mode to capturing possible mode.
[0139] In other words, according to the present embodiment, when
the icon I corresponding to the radiation image capturing apparatus
1 is selected on the selection screen H3, the console C changes the
state of display of the icon I to the state of display showing that
the icon I is selected and the icon I is displayed as described
above. Moreover, the console C transmits a switching signal to the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 corresponding to the selected
icon I, and switches the power consumption mode of the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 from the power save mode to the
capturing possible mode.
[0140] According to the present embodiment, when it is judged that
the capturing is simple capturing based on the capturing order
information regarding the capturing to be performed, the console C
controls only one radiation image capturing apparatus 1 among the
radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra to
be the capturing possible mode.
[0141] In other words, when it is judged that the capturing to be
performed is simple capturing, and the icon I corresponding to the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is selected on the selection
screen H3 by the user such as the radiology technician, etc., the
switching signal is transmitted to the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 and the power consumption mode is switched to the
capturing possible mode. Here, when there is another radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 with the power consumption mode set to
the capturing possible mode, a signal to instruct the other
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to switch the power
consumption mode to the power save mode is transmitted so that the
power consumption mode of the other radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 is switched from the capturing possible mode to the
power save mode.
[0142] As described above, when the user such as the radiology
technician, etc., operates the switching switch 26 (see FIG. 6) of
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1, the power consumption
mode of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 can be switched
from the power save mode to the capturing possible mode. When the
user switches the power consumption mode of the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 to the capturing possible mode, it is assumed
that the user desires to perform capturing using the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1.
[0143] Therefore, for example, when the user such as the radiology
technician, etc., operates the switching switch 26 of the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra and switches
the power consumption mode to capturing possible mode, the console
C performs processing similar to when the icon I corresponding to
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is selected on the
selection screen H3. When the power consumption mode of the other
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is in a capturing possible
mode, similar to the above, the power consumption mode of the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is switched to the power save
mode.
[0144] According to the present embodiment, as described above,
when it is judged that the capturing to be performed is simple
capturing, the console C allows only one of the radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra to advance to the
capturing possible state (in other words, capturing possible
mode).
[0145] According to the above configuration, when the capturing to
be performed is simple capturing, by allowing only one radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra to advance to
the capturing possible state (capturing possible mode), and setting
the electric consumption mode of the other radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 to the power save mode, the following
advantageous effects can be achieved.
[0146] When the power consumption mode of the other linking method
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is in the capturing possible
mode, the other radiation image capturing apparatus 1 which is not
used in the capturing may return an interlock release signal to the
radiation irradiating apparatus 52 transmitting the irradiating
start signal in capturing. Then, the irradiation may be irradiated
from the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 even when the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 to be used in the capturing has not yet
advanced to the charge accumulating state. According to the present
embodiment, it is possible to accurately prevent the above
situation.
[0147] When the power consumption mode of the other non-linking
method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is in the capturing
possible mode, the other radiation image capturing apparatus 1 may
detect the start of irradiation of radiation when the irradiation
of the radiation from the radiation irradiating apparatus 52
starts. After advancing to the charge accumulating state,
generating processing of the image data D may be performed, and the
preview image data Dp, the image data D, etc. may be transferred to
the console C. After capturing, the preview image data Dp, the
image data D, etc. may be transferred to the console C from the
plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1, which are the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 used in the capturing and the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 not used in the capturing.
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to accurately
prevent the above situation.
[0148] Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is
possible to accurately prevent confusion as described above from
occurring when the simple capturing is performed, and simple
capturing can be accurately performed. Regardless of whether the
linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 or the
non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is used,
it is possible to accurately prevent wasting power of the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 by switching the power consumption mode
of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 not used in the
capturing to the power save mode.
[0149] Alternatively, when the capturing to be performed is long
length capturing, it is necessary for the power consumption mode of
the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 used in
the long length capturing to be in the capturing possible mode at
the same time. Therefore, when the capturing to be performed is
judged to be long length capturing, the console C allows the icons
I corresponding to the plurality of radiation image capturing
apparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra to be selected on the
selection screen H3, and allows the plurality of radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 to advance to the capturing possible state
(in other words, capturing possible mode).
[0150] According to the above configuration, when the capturing to
be performed is long length capturing, the plurality of radiation
image capturing apparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra are allowed
to advance to the capturing possible state (capturing possible
mode), and the long length capturing can be accurately
performed.
Effect
[0151] As described above, according to the radiation image
capturing system 50 of the present embodiment, when the console C
judges that the capturing is long length capturing based on the
capturing order information, the console C allows the plurality of
radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra to
advance to the capturing possible state (in other words, capturing
possible mode). When the console C judges that the capturing is not
long length capturing (in other words, it is simple capturing), the
console C allows only one of the radiation image capturing
apparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra to advance to the capturing
possible state. Therefore, the capturing can be accurately
performed regardless of whether the capturing to be performed is
the simple capturing or the long length capturing.
[0152] As shown in FIG. 2, when the radiation image capturing
system 50 is configured so that the plurality of capturing rooms Ra
(Ra1 to Ra3) are associated with one or a plurality of consoles C,
similarly, when the console C judges that the capturing is long
length capturing based on the capturing order information, the
plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 in the
capturing room Ra associated with the console C is allowed to
advance to the capturing possible state and when the console C
judges that the capturing is not the long length capturing, only
one radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the associated
capturing room Ra is allowed to advance to the capturing possible
state. With this, the capturing can be accurately performed
regardless of whether the capturing to be performed is the single
capturing or the long length capturing.
[0153] In both the simple capturing and the long length capturing,
even if the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to be used is
selected but the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is not
loaded on the suitable bucky apparatus 51, measures necessary to
warn the user such as the radiology technician, etc. that the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is not loaded on the bucky
apparatus 51 are suitably taken such as a beeping sound may be
generated from the console C or an alarm device, etc. (not shown)
provided in the capturing room Ra.
[0154] According to the above, the power consumption mode of the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 being in the capturing
possible mode is described as the state in which capturing by the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is possible. The capturing
possible state of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is not
limited to when the power consumption mode of the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 is in the capturing possible mode. For
example, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 can be set to
the capturing possible state when the power of the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 in the off state is turned on.
[Processing Thereafter in the Console]
[0155] As described above, regardless of whether the capturing is
performed by the linking method or the non-linking method, the
preview image data Dp is transferred from the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 to the console C when the capturing ends.
Therefore, the console C performs predetermined image processing on
the transferred preview image data Dp and preview image ppre is
generated. The preview image ppre is displayed in the position of
the icon I displayed with focus on the screen H2 as described in
FIG. 17, in other words, the icon I (see icon 12 of FIG. 13)
corresponding to the capturing order information regarding the
capturing. The preview image ppre can be displayed enlarged on the
screen H2.
[0156] Similarly in simple capturing and long length capturing, as
described above, when the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is
formed in the size conforming to the JIS standard size, the
vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 when the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 is loaded on the bucky apparatus 51 may not be the
correct direction and may be opposite (in other words, rotated)
180.degree.. Therefore, when the image read from the radiation
image capturing apparatuses 1 is displayed as is, the preview image
ppre and the later described radiation image p may be displayed in
the incorrect direction. In such case, subject site recognizing
processing or display rotating processing as described in Japanese
Patent No. 3731400 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Publication No. 2000-157519 can be used to display the images in
the correct direction (in other words, direction suitable for
interpretation) or display the combined long length image in the
correct direction.
[0157] When the user such as the radiology technician, etc. sees
the preview image p_pre, judges that capturing needs to be
performed again, and for example, the "NG" button icon of the icon
I is clicked, the console C instructs the information of the
preview image ppre to be destroyed and instructs the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 to perform capturing again. The
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 which receives the
instruction stops the readout processing of the offset data O
performed at the moment, and prepares for capturing again by, for
example, performing the reset processing of the radiation detecting
elements 7 again.
[0158] When the user such as the radiology technician, etc. sees
the preview image ppre and clicks the "OK" button icon of the icon
I, or the "NG" button icon is not clicked within a predetermined
amount of time after the console C displays the preview image ppre,
it is judged that the user approved the preview image ppre, and the
user judged that the capturing does not need to be performed again.
Then, a request for transfer is made to the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1.
[0159] When the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 receives the
transfer request, the image data D other than the preview image
data Dp and the offset data O is transferred to the console C.
Then, when the image data D, the offset data O, etc. are
transferred from the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 as
described above, the console C subtracts the offset data O from the
image data D for each radiation detecting element 7 according to
the formula (1) described below and calculates the true image data
D*.
D*=D-O (1)
[0160] Then, gain correction and the defective pixel correction is
performed on the calculated true image data D*, the image
processing such as gradation processing according to the capturing
site is performed to generate the radiation image, and the
generated radiation image p is overwritten and displayed on the
preview image p_pre.
[0161] After fine adjustment of the image is performed as necessary
by the user who sees the radiation image p, when the "OK" button
icon of the icon I is clicked and the finalizing processing is
performed, the console C associates the data of the generated
radiation image p with the capturing order information regarding
the capturing to finalize the capturing order information, and
transmits the finalized capturing order information and the
radiation image p to the external system such as PACS as
necessary.
[0162] In long length capturing, the image data D and the offset
data O are transferred from the three radiation image capturing
apparatuses 1 shown in FIG. 1 to the console C. Similar to the
above-described simple capturing, the console C calculates the true
image data D* (in other words, D*1 to D*3 in the diagram) as shown
in FIG. 18A based on the image data D and the offset data O
transferred from the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1. The
true image data D* is referred to as simply the image data D*.
[0163] The console C positions the edges of the image data D*1 to
D*3, combines the plurality of pieces of image data D*1 to D*3, and
generates one piece of long length image data D*long. Here, as
described above (see FIG. 1), according to the present embodiment,
since the capturing can be performed by irradiating the radiation
only once (in other words, one shot) from the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52, the problem of body movement of the subject H does
not occur. Therefore, the image data D*1 to D*3 can be accurately
combined and the long length image data D*long can be
generated.
[0164] Well-known methods such as methods described in Japanese
Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2013-154146 can be
used in the positioning, combining processing, etc. of the image
data D*1 to D*3. In the long length capturing also, the preview
image data Dp is transferred from the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 to the console C before the image data D, etc. is
transferred. Therefore, the console C performs predetermined image
processing on the preview image data Dp transferred form the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to generate the preview image
ppre and the preview image p_pre combining the above is displayed
on the screen H2.
[0165] When the preview image data Dp, the image data D, etc. are
transferred almost simultaneously by wireless communication from
the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1, the
wireless communication may interfere with each other. Therefore,
for example, it is possible to transfer the data from the radiation
image capturing apparatuses 1 to the console C through different
channels.
[0166] Similar to the above, if the plurality of radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 are not loaded in the right direction when
loaded in the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, the
positioning of the edges of the image data D*1 to D*3 and the
combining processing of the image data D*1 to D*3 cannot be
suitably performed within a short amount of time. Therefore, in
this case, in the long length capturing also, normally, positioning
and the combining processing can be performed by using the state
that the radiation is irradiated from the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52 to the subject H with the irradiating field
narrowed.
[0167] Specifically, since the radiation is irradiated in a state
in which the irradiating field is narrowed, the radiation is not
irradiated to the bottom edge portion (see FIG. 18A) of the image
data D*1 generated in the radiation image capturing apparatus 1
provided in the bottom edge among the three radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 (see FIG. 1) loaded on the long length
capturing bucky apparatus 51A, and the subject H is often not
captured. The radiation is also not irradiated to the top edge
portion of the image data D*3 generated in the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 positioned in the top edge, and the subject H
is often not captured. On the other hand, in the image data D*2
generated in the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 positioned
in the center, the radiation reaches the top edge portion and the
bottom edge portion. Therefore, the subject H is captured.
[0168] Therefore, for example, the console C observes the profile
(in other words, whether there is an edge) of the image data at the
top edge portion and the bottom edge portion in the generated three
pieces of image data D*1 to D*3. The image data D*2 which has
gradation formed when capturing the subject H on the top edge
portion and the bottom edge portion is determined to be the image
data generated in the radiation image capturing apparatus 1
provided in the center among the three radiation image capturing
apparatuses 1 loaded on the long length capturing bucky apparatus
51A.
[0169] Then, for example, pattern matching of the edge portion of
the image data D*1 to D*3 may be performed. With the image data D*2
generated in the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 positioned
in the center as the reference, the image data D*1 generated in the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 positioned in the bottom side
and the image data D*3 generated in the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 positioned in the top side may be determined. Then, the
positioning and the combining processing may be performed. In this
case also, the combined and generated long length image data D*long
may be upside down entirely. In this case, for example, it is
possible to apply the above-described display rotation processing
on the combined and generated one piece of long length image data
D*long to display in the correct direction.
[0170] When the long length capturing is performed, if different
amount of accumulating time .tau. (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9) is set in
the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1, after
capturing, the preview image data Dp, the image data D, etc. are
transferred in different timing from each radiation image capturing
apparatus 1, and the processing in the console C becomes difficult
to perform.
[0171] Therefore, for example, the console C is able to control the
plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 used in long
length capturing to transmit the information of the specific
accumulating time .tau. and to perform processing in each radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 based on the specific accumulating time
.tau. while at least the long length capturing is performed.
Alternatively, including the other radiation image capturing
apparatuses 1 in the power save mode, the console C can transmit
the information of the specific accumulating time .tau. to all of
the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1, and set the specific
accumulating time .tau. in all of the radiation image capturing
apparatuses 1 at least while the long length capturing is
performed. In this case, after the long length capturing, the
accumulating time .tau. of each radiation image capturing apparatus
1 is returned to the original accumulating time .tau..
[0172] Then, in the long length capturing also, similar to the
simple capturing, after the user who sees the radiation image p of
the long length capturing generated and displayed by the console C
performs fine adjustment of the image as necessary, when the
finalizing processing is performed by, for example, clicking the
"OK" button icon of the icon I, the console C associates the data
of the generated radiation image p of the long length capturing
with the capturing order information regarding the capturing to
finalize the capturing order information, and the finalized
capturing order information, the radiation image p of the long
length capturing, etc. are transmitted to the external system such
as PACS as necessary.
[Specific Cases]
[0173] Next, specific cases which may occur when the radiation
image capturing system 50 is applied are described below.
[Example when Radiation Irradiating Apparatus is Receiving
Interlock Control]
[0174] Described below is an example when the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52 is receiving interlock control as described above, in
other words, an example in which the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52 is a type in which an irradiating start signal is
transmitted to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 when the
emitting switch 56 is fully pressed (see FIG. 5C), and the
radiation is irradiated when the interlock release signal is
received from the radiation image capturing apparatus 1.
[0175] When simple capturing is performed using the linking method
radiation image capturing apparatus 1, as described above, the
radiation image capturing can be performed by communicating with
the signal (irradiating start signal, interlock release signal,
etc.) between the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 and the
radiation irradiating apparatus 52.
[0176] When the long length capturing is performed using the
plurality of linking method radiation image capturing apparatuses
1, if the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1
separately transmit the interlock release signal in response to the
irradiating start signal from the radiation irradiating apparatus
52, the radiation is irradiated when the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52 receives the first interlock release signal.
Therefore, there is a possibility that the radiation is irradiated
to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 which has not yet
advanced to the charge accumulating state.
[0177] Therefore, in such situation, the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52 can be set so that the radiation is irradiated when
the interlock release signal is transmitted from all radiation
image capturing apparatuses 1. However, in this case, it is
necessary to rewrite the program of the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52. Therefore, the following configuration is possible,
for example, the signal communicated between the radiation
irradiating apparatus 52 and each radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 is repeated by the repeater 54 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2)
and the console C, and the repeater 54 and the console C does not
transmit the interlock release signal to the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52 until the interlock release signals from all radiation
image capturing apparatuses 1 are present. When the interlock
release signals from all radiation image capturing apparatuses 1
are present, the interlock release signal can be transmitted to the
radiation irradiating apparatus 52.
[0178] When the simple capturing and the long length capturing are
performed using the non-linking method radiation image capturing
apparatus 1, since the signal (irradiating start signal, interlock
release signal, etc.) is not communicated between the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 and the radiation irradiating apparatus
52 as described above in the non-linking method, even if the
radiation irradiating apparatus 52 transmits the irradiating start
signal, the interlock release signal is not transmitted from the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 no matter how much time
passes, and the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 is not able to
irradiate radiation.
[0179] In this case, when the radiation irradiating apparatus 52
can be connected with the console C and the repeater 54, and the
irradiating start signal can be transmitted from the radiation
irradiating apparatus 52, a dummy signal corresponding to the
interlock release signal can be transmitted from the console C and
the repeater 54, and the radiation can be irradiated from the
radiation irradiating apparatus 52. Then, when the radiation is
irradiated from the radiation irradiating apparatus 52, the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 itself detects the start of
irradiation of radiation and the state is advanced to the charge
accumulating state. With this, accurate capturing is possible.
[0180] When the linking method radiation image capturing apparatus
1 and the non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1
are loaded in a mixed state in the long length capturing bucky
apparatus 51A when long length capturing is performed, for example,
the console C is to grasp the linking method radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 loaded in the long length capturing bucky
apparatus 51A, and repeats the communication of signals between the
radiation irradiating apparatus 52 and the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1. Then, the console C transmits the
irradiating start signal transmitted from the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52 to the linking method radiation image capturing
apparatus 1. When the interlock release signals from the above
radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are present, the interlock
release signals are transmitted to the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52. With this, it is possible to accurately perform long
length capturing in an example as described above.
[Example when Radiation Irradiating Apparatus does not Receive
Interlock Control]
[0181] However, there are radiation irradiating apparatuses 52
which do not receive the above-described interlock control, and
there are radiation irradiating apparatuses 52 which immediately
irradiate radiation when the emitting switch 56 is fully pressed
(see FIG. 5C). When the simple capturing or the long length
capturing using the linking method radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 is performed in the capturing room Ra provided with
such radiation irradiating apparatus 52, the radiation is
irradiated without the irradiating start signal being transmitted
from the radiation irradiating apparatus 52.
[0182] Therefore, the radiation is irradiated while the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 is performing the reset processing of
each radiation detecting element 7 before capturing, and the
capturing cannot be accurately performed. When the radiation
irradiating apparatus 52 is the apparatus which does not receive
interlock control, the linking method radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 cannot be used in the capturing.
[0183] When the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 provided in the
capturing room Ra does not receive interlock control, and the
linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is selected as
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to be used in the
capturing, the console C or the alarm device in the capturing room
Ra which receives the instruction from the console C can warn the
user such as the radiology technician, etc. by sound or display
that the selected radiation image capturing apparatus 1 cannot be
used in the capturing.
[Configuration, Etc. Of Bucky Apparatus]
[0184] According to the above description, for example, the console
C is able to recognize the size of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 or whether the radiation image capturing apparatus 1
loaded on the bucky apparatus 51 captures by the linking method or
the non-linking method (for example, see FIG. 15, etc.).
[0185] When the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is loaded on
the bucky apparatus 51, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, when the
connector 27 (see FIG. 6) of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 is connected with the connector 51b of the bucky
apparatus 51, the cassette ID which is the identification
information of the loaded radiation image capturing apparatus 1 and
the identification information of the bucky apparatus 51
(hereinafter referred to as bucky ID) are transmitted to the
console C from the bucky apparatus 51 through the cable 51c. Then,
the console C holds in advance a list which associates the
identification information of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 in the facilities such as the hospital with the
capturing method (linking method or non-linking method), size, etc.
When the cassette ID and the bucky ID are transmitted from the
bucky apparatus 51, the list is referred. With this, the console C
is able to recognize which radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is
loaded on which bucky apparatus 51.
[0186] The cassette ID, etc. of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 can be read by a reading unit provided in the bucky
apparatus 51, such as a tag reader or a barcode reader. The tag
reader can read the above-described RFID tag. The barcode reader
can read the barcode attached to the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 when the apparatus is loaded.
[Performing Long Length Capturing Using Bucky Apparatus not
Including Connector]
[0187] In bucky apparatuses 51, there is a bucky apparatus 51 which
is configured to be loaded with a cassette including conventional
screen film or a CR cassette including a stimulable phosphor sheet.
In such bucky apparatus 51, the above-described connector 51b is
usually not provided.
[0188] Therefore, when the capturing is performed using such bucky
apparatus 51, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 cannot
communicate the signal with the radiation irradiating apparatus 52
by wired communication through the connector 27 (see FIG. 6).
Therefore, it is not always easy to perform capturing by the
linking method. Consequently, it is preferable to load the
non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 on the
bucky apparatus 51 to perform capturing when the capturing is
performed using the bucky apparatus 51 which is not provided with
the connector 51b as described above.
[0189] According to the present embodiment, as described above, the
console C judges whether to perform capturing by long length
capturing or simple capturing based on the age P5 of the patient
who is the subject, capturing site P7, etc. (see FIG. 11 and FIG.
12). When it is judged that the capturing to be performed is the
long length capturing, the power consumption mode of the plurality
of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra
is switched from the power save mode to the capturing possible mode
or the user such as the radiology technician, etc. operates the
switching switch 26 (see FIG. 6) of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 to allow the power consumption mode of the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 to be switched to the capturing
possible mode.
[0190] However, in the long length capturing, the user such as the
radiology technician, etc. needs to load, for example, three
non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 in the
long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A which does not include
the connector 51b. Therefore, there is a possibility that the user
such as the radiology technician, etc. mistakes the non-linking
method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to be loaded. In this
case, when the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 with the power
consumption mode set in the power save mode is loaded by mistake,
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 cannot detect the start
of irradiation of radiation and the image data D of the portion
captured by this radiation image capturing apparatus 1 cannot be
obtained. As a result, capturing needs to be performed again.
[0191] In order to prevent such situation, for example, when the
long length capturing is performed by loading a plurality of
non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 in the
long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A which does not include
the connector 51b as described above, the console C can be
configured to switch the power consumption mode of all of the
non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 in the
capturing room Ra from the power save mode to the capturing
possible mode. In such case, the console C can be configured so
that the user such as the radiology technician, etc. operates the
switching switch 26 of the non-linking method radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra to allow the power
consumption mode to be switched to the capturing possible mode.
[0192] According to the above configuration, if the power
consumption mode of all of the non-linking method radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra are switched to
the capturing possible mode, the non-linking method radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 loaded on the long length capturing bucky
apparatus 51A and irradiated with radiation detects the start of
irradiation of radiation and advances to the charge accumulating
state. Then, the image data D is accurately generated and the
preview image data Dp and the image data D are transferred to the
console C. The non-linking method radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 which is not loaded in the long length capturing bucky
apparatus 51A is not irradiated with radiation. Therefore, the
non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 does not
perform generating processing or transfer processing of the image
data D.
[0193] Consequently, according to the above configuration, even if
the user makes a mistake and loads the wrong non-linking method
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to be loaded in the long
length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, the image data D, etc. is
transferred to the console C from only, for example, the three
non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatuses 1
irradiated with radiation in the long length capturing. Therefore,
the console C is able to accurately generate one long length image
data D* by combining the plurality of pieces of image data D*1 to
D*3 based on the image data D, etc. transferred from these
radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 (see FIG. 18A and FIG.
18B). With this, the long length capturing can be accurately
performed. Consequently, it is possible to accurately prevent the
above-described situation in which capturing needs to be performed
again.
[0194] In this case also, the following configuration can be
provided. A tag reader which reads the RFID tag or a barcode reader
which reads the barcode is attached to the long length capturing
bucky apparatus 51A which does not include the connector 51b. The
cassette ID, etc. of the loaded radiation image capturing apparatus
1 is read by a reading unit such as the tag reader or the barcode
reader. When the loaded radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is
different from the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 selected
on the console C, a warning can be generated by sound or
display.
[Long Length Capturing Using Bucky Apparatus Including
Connector]
[0195] When the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses
1 are loaded on the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A
including the connector 51b to perform long length capturing, as
shown in FIG. 19, the connector 51b of the bucky apparatus 51 is
connected to the connector 27 of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1. With this, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1
is able to communicate signals with the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52 through the cable 51c and the capturing can be
performed by the linking method. Therefore, in this case, the
linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 can be used as
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 loaded on the long length
capturing bucky apparatus 51A including the connector Mb.
[0196] Even if the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A
includes the connector Mb, similar to the above, the plurality of
non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 can be
loaded on the bucky apparatus MA to perform capturing. In this
case, the plurality of non-linking method radiation image capturing
apparatuses 1 are loaded in a state in which the connector 27 is
connected to the connector 51b of the bucky apparatus 51A. Although
signals are not communicated with the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52 through the cable Mc (see FIG. 19), it is possible to
receive supply of electric power from outside through the cable
51c.
[0197] Even if the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A
includes the connector 51b, when the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52 is the apparatus which does not receive interlock
control, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 loaded on the
long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A needs to be the
non-linking radiation image capturing apparatus as described
above.
[Judgement of Whether or not Long Length Capturing can be Performed
by Console]
[0198] As described above, the connector 51b of the bucky apparatus
51A is connected to the connector 27 of the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 to transmit the cassette ID which is the
identification information of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 to the console C when the plurality of radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 are loaded on the long length capturing
bucky apparatus 51A. Alternatively, the above-described tag reader
or barcode reader reads the cassette ID of the loaded radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 to transmit the cassette ID to the
console C. With this, the console C is able to judge which
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is loaded in which loading
position of the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A.
Therefore, the console C is able to judge whether it is possible to
perform long length capturing in the above state.
[0199] In other words, the console C is able to judge whether the
long length capturing can be performed based on the cassette ID of
the loaded radiation image capturing apparatus 1 read with the
reading unit such as the connector 51b of the long length capturing
bucky apparatus 51A or the tag reader or the barcode reader.
[0200] Described below is an example in which the reading unit is
the connector 51b of the bucky apparatus 51A. Alternatively, the
reading unit such as the tag reader or the barcode reader can be
provided in the loading position of the bucky apparatus 51A to
perform the function similar to the connector 51b. In the example
below, as shown in, for example, FIG. 20A, up to three radiation
image capturing apparatuses 1 can be loaded on the long length
capturing bucky apparatus 51A. Alternatively, the same description
can apply when two radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 can be
loaded or four or more radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 can
be loaded.
[0201] Specifically, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 20A,
for example, three loading positions .alpha., .beta., and .gamma.
are provided in the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, and
one radiation image capturing apparatus 1 can be loaded in each
position, resulting in a total of three image capturing apparatuses
1. In this case, connectors 51b.alpha., 51b.beta., and 51b.gamma.
are provided in each respective loading position .alpha., .beta.,
and .gamma. of the bucky apparatus 51A. When the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 is loaded, the connectors 51b.alpha.,
51b.beta., and 51b.gamma. are each connected to the connector 27
(not shown in FIG. 20A, etc.).
[0202] When the connector 27 of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 to be loaded is connected to any of the connectors
51b.alpha., 51b.beta., and 51b.gamma. of the loading positions
.alpha., .beta., and .gamma., the long length capturing bucky
apparatus 51A reads the cassette ID of the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 and transmits the read cassette ID with the
identification information (hereinafter referred to as connector
ID) of the connector 51b connected to the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 to the console C.
[0203] The console C associates the cassette ID and the connector
ID transmitted from the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A
and stores and manages the above in the storage unit Cb. Moreover,
the console C recognizes which radiation image capturing apparatus
1 is loaded in which loading position .alpha., .beta., and .gamma.
of the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A.
[0204] For example, as shown in FIG. 20A, when the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 is loaded in each loading position .alpha.,
.beta., and .gamma. of the long length capturing bucky apparatus
51A, the long length capturing can be performed. Then, when the
console C judges that the long length capturing can be performed,
the console C switches the power consumption mode of the plurality
of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded on the long
length capturing bucky apparatus 51A from the power save mode to
the capturing possible mode to advance to the capturing possible
state.
[0205] According to the above configuration, when the long length
capturing can be performed, the plurality of radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 loaded on the long length capturing bucky
apparatus 51A is advanced accurately to the capturing possible
state. Therefore, the long length capturing can be accurately
performed.
[0206] Although illustration is omitted, for example, the console C
judges that the long length capturing cannot be performed when only
one radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is loaded in any of the
loading positions .alpha., .beta., and .gamma. of the long length
capturing bucky apparatus 51A.
[0207] For example, as shown in FIG. 20B, even if a plurality of
radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are loaded on the long
length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, if the loading positions
where the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are
loaded are not continuous, for example, the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 is loaded in the loading positions .alpha.
and .gamma. but the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is not
loaded in the loading position .beta. in between, the long length
capturing cannot be performed.
[0208] Therefore, the console C is configured to judge that the
long length capturing cannot be performed when the loading
positions .alpha., .beta., and .gamma. of the plurality of
radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded on the long length
capturing bucky apparatus 51A are not continuous.
[0209] When the console C judges that the long length capturing
cannot be performed even if the long length capturing bucky
apparatus 51A is used (in other words, the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 is loaded), the console C notifies to the
user such as the radiology technician, etc. that the long length
capturing cannot be performed by, for example, display on the
display unit Ca of the console C, generating sound, or through a
notifying unit by sound or display provided in the capturing room
Ra.
[0210] According to the above configuration, in a situation in
which the long length capturing cannot be performed, it is possible
to accurately notify that the long length capturing cannot be
performed under the present conditions before the user such as the
radiology technician, etc. allows the radiation to be irradiated
from the radiation irradiating apparatus 52. With this, it is
possible to accurately prevent the radiation being irradiated in a
situation where long length capturing cannot be performed.
[0211] Although illustration is omitted, for example, if the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the loading position
.alpha. is loaded in the loading position .beta. or the radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 in the loading position .gamma. is
loaded in the loading position .beta. from the state as shown in
FIG. 20B, the loading positions of the plurality of radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 are in a continuous state in the long
length capturing bucky apparatus 51A. The following configuration
is possible in which the console C judges that the long length
capturing can be performed if the loading positions of the
plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses are
continuous.
[0212] Although illustration is omitted, the following
configuration is possible in which the user such as the radiology
technician, etc. is warned by enlarging the display on the display
unit Ca of the console C showing the state such as only one
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 being loaded on the long
length capturing bucky apparatus 51A or the loading positions
.alpha., .beta., and .gamma. of the plurality of radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 not being continuous (see FIG. 20B) even
when the long length capturing is performed.
[0213] The following configuration is possible in which the console
C displays on the display unit Ca that the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 loaded in the loading position .alpha. is
loaded in the loading position .beta., or the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 loaded in the loading position .gamma. is
loaded in the loading position .beta. from the state shown in FIG.
20B, and the user judges whether the long length capturing can be
performed with two radiation image capturing apparatuses 1.
[0214] For example, as shown in FIG. 20A, even if three radiation
image capturing apparatuses 1 are loaded on the long length
capturing bucky apparatus 51A, for example, as described above,
when the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 is the apparatus which
does not receive interlock control, the capturing cannot be
performed if the linking method radiation image capturing apparatus
1 is loaded. Therefore, in such case, when it becomes clear that
the loaded radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is the linking
method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 based on the
transmitted cassette ID, the console C judges that the long length
capturing cannot be performed. Preferably, for example, the console
C is configured to notify the user to load the non-linking method
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in such case.
[Size and Position of Plurality of Loaded Radiation Image Capturing
Apparatuses]
[0215] As shown in FIG. 21A, the plurality of radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 loaded on the long length capturing bucky
apparatus 51A may each have a different size. FIG. 21A shows the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 with a size of 14.times.17
inches loaded in the loading positions .alpha. and .gamma., and the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 with a size of 14.times.14
inches loaded in the loading position .beta..
[0216] When the sizes of the plurality of radiation image capturing
apparatuses 1 loaded in the long length capturing bucky apparatus
51 are different, for example, the radiation needs to be irradiated
with the irradiating field narrowed as shown in the long and short
dashed line of FIG. 21A so that the irradiated radiation does not
fall out of the left and right boundaries of the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 with the smallest width (in the example shown
in FIG. 21A, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the
loading position .beta. with the size 14.times.14 inches).
[0217] For example, when it is judged that the sizes of the
plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded on the
long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A are different based on
the cassette ID of each radiation image capturing apparatus 1
transmitted from the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, the
console C can be configured to notify a warning to the user such as
the radiology technician, etc. to be cautious of the setting of the
irradiating field of the radiation to be irradiated by displaying
the warning on the display unit Ca or generating sound.
[0218] When the sizes of the plurality of radiation image capturing
apparatuses 1 loaded on the long length capturing bucky apparatus
51A are different as described above, as shown in FIG. 21A or FIG.
21B, for example, depending on whether the plurality of radiation
image capturing apparatuses 1 are aligned at the center position
(FIG. 21A) or the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are
aligned to the right of the bucky apparatus 51A (FIG. 21B) or the
radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are aligned to the left
(not shown), the position of the irradiating field of the radiation
to be irradiated in the horizontal direction changes.
[0219] Therefore, although illustration is omitted, for example, a
detecting unit can be provided to detect, in the horizontal
direction, the position of the radiation image capturing
apparatuses 1 loaded in the loading positions .alpha., .beta., and
.gamma. in the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A to display
the positions of the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 in the
horizontal direction detected by the detecting unit on the display
unit Ca of the console C. Alternatively, simply whether the image
capturing apparatuses 1 are aligned at the center, to the right or
to the left can be displayed. Alternatively, the display of the
position of the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 or the
display of the aligning at the center, etc. can be displayed on a
display unit provided in the long length capturing bucky apparatus
51A instead of or together with the display unit Ca of the console
C.
[0220] According to the above configuration, the user such as the
radiology technician, etc. is able to see the display and adjust
the position of the irradiating field of the radiation irradiated
to the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A according to the
display. With this, the long length capturing can be accurately
performed. Moreover, the console C is able to perform the
above-described processing in the long length capturing such as the
combining processing of the image data D*1 to D*3 or the generating
processing of the long length image data D*long (see FIG. 18A, FIG.
18B) with recognition of the information such as the position of
the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 or the radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 being aligned to the center. From this
point also, it is possible to accurately perform long length
capturing.
[Synchronizing Non-Linking Method Radiation Image Capturing
Apparatuses]
[0221] When radiation is irradiated with one shot from the
radiation irradiating apparatus 52 to the radiation image capturing
apparatuses 1 loaded on the long length capturing bucky apparatus
51A to perform long length capturing, there is a difference in the
amount of radiation irradiated to each radiation image capturing
apparatus 1. Since the irradiating field of the irradiated
radiation is narrowed, the amount of delivered radiation becomes
small in the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 loaded in the
top and bottom loading positions .alpha. and .gamma. compared to
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 loaded in the middle
loading position .beta. (see FIG. 20A). Therefore, it is assumed
that the performance to judge the start of irradiation
decreases.
[0222] In this case, when the non-linking method radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 is loaded on the long length capturing bucky
apparatus 51A, for example, a large amount of radiation reaches the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 loaded in the loading
position .beta. and therefore, the start of irradiation of
radiation can be promptly detected. However, there is a possibility
that the detection timing of the start of irradiation of radiation
is delayed in the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded in
the loading positions .alpha. and .gamma.. When the detecting
timing of the start of irradiation of radiation is different in
each radiation image capturing apparatus 1, the timing that the
image data D, etc. is transferred to the console C from each
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 becomes different depending
on each radiation image capturing apparatus 1, and the processing
in the console C becomes difficult.
[0223] For example, in an example where the plurality of
non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are
loaded on the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, when the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 detects the start of
irradiation of radiation, the detecting processing stops at this
point, the state advances to the charge accumulating state (see
FIG. 9), and the signal showing the above is transmitted to the
console C. Then, when the console C receives the signal from the
first radiation image capturing apparatus 1 which detected start of
irradiation of radiation, the console C transmits an advancing
signal to the other radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded
on the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A. Then, when the
other radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 receive the advancing
signal from the console C, even if the other radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 themselves do not detect the start of
irradiation of radiation, the detecting processing stops at this
point and the state is advanced to the charge accumulating
state.
[0224] According to such configuration, the plurality of
non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded
on the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A advances to the
charge accumulating state and the generating processing of the
image data D and the processing thereafter can be performed at the
same timing. With this, the display processing of the preview image
p_pre and the generating processing of the long length image data
D*long can be easily performed on the console C. According to such
configuration, the time necessary for the entire long length
capturing can be made shorter compared to when the radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 detect the start of irradiation of
radiation at a different timing and the processing thereafter is
performed. Consequently, the burden of the patient who is the
subject can be reduced.
[Management of Position of Radiation Image Capturing Apparatus when
Plurality of Capturing Rooms are Provided]
[0225] In order to achieve the objects of the present invention,
which are to accurately perform both simple capturing and long
length capturing using the radiation image capturing apparatus 1
and to perform efficient capturing, it is necessary to prevent
mistaking the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to be used in
the capturing or the user such as the radiology technician, etc.
having to search for the radiation image capturing apparatus 1.
[0226] Such situation occurs especially when the radiation image
capturing system 50 includes a plurality of capturing rooms Ra (Ra1
to Ra3) associated with one or a plurality of consoles C (C1, C2)
(see FIG. 2). In order to prevent the above situation, for example,
as shown in FIG. 2, the radiation image capturing system 50 may be
provided with a management apparatus S.
[0227] Specifically, as described above, when the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 is brought into the capturing room Ra and
inserted in the cradle 55 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3), or the tag of
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is read with the tag
reader 60 (see FIG. 4) and the cassette ID which is the
identification information of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 is read, the cassette ID is transmitted and notified to
the management apparatus S in addition to the console C through the
repeater 54. Here, for example, the identification information of
the repeater (hereinafter referred to as the repeater ID) is
attached to the cassette ID and notified.
[0228] The management apparatus S is able to judge from which
capturing room Ra the cassette ID is transmitted based on the
repeater ID attached to the cassette ID, and becomes aware that the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 including the cassette ID is
in the capturing room Ra corresponding to the repeater ID. The
management apparatus S can also manage the information by storing
the information in the storage unit Cb. Instead of or together with
the repeater ID, the identification information of the cradle 55 or
the identification information of the tag reader 60 can be attached
to the read cassette ID and transmitted to the management apparatus
S. As long as the capturing room Ra from which the cassette ID is
transmitted can be reliably identified, the information attached to
the cassette ID can be any type of information.
[0229] In reply to the request from the console C, the management
apparatus S transmits information of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 in the capturing rooms Ra to the console C. The console
C is able to display the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in
each capturing room Ra in a form of a list on the display unit Ca
as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Publication No. 2012-105787, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Publication No. 2013-126604.
[0230] According to the above configuration, the user such as the
radiology technician, etc. sees the list and is able to understand
which radiation image capturing apparatus 1 belongs to which
capturing room Ra. Here, as described above, for example, the
following is displayed near the information of the radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1. The linking method radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 is displayed with blue and the non-linking
method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is displayed with red.
The sizes such as 14.times.17 inches, 14.times.14 inches, and
17.times.17 inches are each displayed with design such as a square
(solid colored), stripes, dots, etc. According to such
configuration, the user such as the radiology technician, etc. is
able to understand the capturing method and the size of the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 at a glance, and this is
preferable.
[0231] In order to perform long length capturing more accurately,
for example, the following configuration is possible. The long
length capturing bucky apparatus 51A is provided in any or all of
the capturing rooms Ra among the plurality of capturing rooms
Ra.
[0232] As described above, the console C judges that the capturing
to be performed is long length capturing based on the capturing
order information, and the console C transmits to the management
apparatus S a request signal requesting an answer regarding in
which capturing room Ra the long length capturing can be performed.
Then, in response to the above, the management apparatus S judges
in which capturing room Ra the long length capturing can be
performed based on the information of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 in each capturing room Ra or information of which
capturing room Ra includes the long length capturing bucky
apparatus 51A. The management apparatus S notifies the capturing
room Ra in which long length capturing can be performed to the
console C. The console C can notify the information of the
capturing room Ra notified from the management apparatus S to the
user such as the radiology technician, etc. by displaying on the
display unit Ca, for example.
[0233] As described above, depending on whether the radiation
irradiating apparatus 52 receives interlock control or not, the
type of radiation image capturing apparatus 1 (in other words,
linking method or non-linking method) which can be used in the long
length capturing may be limited. Moreover, depending on whether the
connector 51b is provided in the long length capturing bucky
apparatus 51A, the type of radiation image capturing apparatus 1
which can be used in the long length capturing may need to be
considered.
[0234] If there are a plurality of radiation image capturing
apparatuses 1 which can be used in the long length capturing using
the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A and the radiation
irradiating apparatus 52 in the capturing room Ra provided with the
long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, the long length
capturing can be performed in the capturing room Ra. However, if a
plurality of such radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are not
present, the long length capturing cannot be immediately performed
in the capturing room Ra.
[0235] Since the management apparatus S judges in which capturing
room Ra the long length capturing can be performed based on the
information of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in each
capturing room Ra and the information such as the long length
capturing bucky apparatus 51A, and the capturing room Ra which can
perform long length capturing is notified to the user such as the
radiology technician, etc. through the console C, the user is able
to accurately perform the long length capturing in the notified
capturing room Ra.
[0236] When the management apparatus S judges the long length
capturing cannot be performed in any capturing room Ra, for
example, the management apparatus S can notify to the console C the
information showing in which capturing room Ra the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 which can be used in the long length
capturing is present, and the console C can notify the information
notified from the management apparatus S by, for example,
displaying on the display unit Ca in a form of a list.
[0237] According to the above configuration, based on the above
notification, the user such as the radiology technician, etc. is
able to go to each capturing room Ra with the necessary radiation
image capturing apparatus 1 to accurately and promptly collect the
radiation image capturing apparatuses 1. Then, the user such as the
radiology technician, etc. is able to bring the radiation image
capturing apparatuses 1 into the capturing room Ra provided with
the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, load the above into
the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, and accurately
perform the long length capturing.
[Modification]
[Modification 1]
[0238] As described above, the selection screen H3 (see FIG. 14 to
FIG. 16) displaying the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in
the capturing room Ra with the icon I is displayed on the display
unit Ca of the console C of the radiation image capturing system 50
of the present embodiment. However, the selection screen H3 can be
configured so that the icon I corresponding to the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 which cannot be used in the capturing to be
performed is not displayed on the selection screen H3 even if the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 exists in the capturing room
Ra, so that the icon I corresponding to the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 which cannot be used in the capturing to be
performed (in other words, capturing corresponding to the icon I
(icon 12 in FIG. 13) displayed with focus on the screen H2 (see
FIG. 13)) cannot be selected on the selection screen H3.
[0239] According to the above configuration, it is possible to
accurately prevent the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 which
cannot be used in the capturing from being selected on the
selection screen H3 by mistake by the user such as the radiology
technician, etc. Consequently, simple capturing and long length
capturing can be accurately performed.
[Modification 2]
[0240] As described above, there are radiation image capturing
apparatuses 1 which can perform capturing by both the linking
method and the non-linking method. When such radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 is used, if the radiation irradiating
apparatus 52 does not receive interlock control and the non-linking
method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 needs to be used in
capturing, a signal can be transmitted from the console C to the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to switch the capturing
method of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to the
non-linking method.
[0241] In other words, according to the type of radiation
irradiating apparatus 52 provided in the capturing room Ra (in
other words, for example, whether or not interlock control is
received), or the type of the bucky apparatus 51 (in other words,
whether or not the connector 51b is provided), the console C can
switch the capturing method of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra to the capturing method
suitable for the capturing room Ra between the linking method and
the non-linking method.
[0242] According to such configuration, the capturing method of the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 can be suitably switched
between the linking method and the non-linking method depending on
the state of the capturing room Ra, in other words, the type of the
radiation irradiating apparatus 52 and the type of the bucky
apparatus 51 and the capturing can be performed. Consequently, the
simple capturing and the long length capturing can be accurately
performed.
[Modification 3]
[0243] The above-described embodiment and modification show an
example performing long length capturing by loading a plurality of
radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 in the cassette holder 51a
(see FIG. 1, etc.) when the long length capturing bucky apparatus
51A is used. Other than the above, for example, the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 loaded on the long length capturing bucky
apparatus 51A can be used to perform simple capturing.
[0244] Specifically, although illustration is omitted, for example,
a moving apparatus to move the loaded radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 can be provided in the cassette holder 51a of the long
length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, and the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 loaded in the cassette holder 51a of the long
length capturing bucky apparatus 51A can be moved in an arbitrary
position in the body axis A direction (see FIG. 1) of the subject H
in the cassette holder 51a.
[0245] In this case, when the long length capturing bucky apparatus
51A is for standing position capturing, the moving apparatus is
configured so that the loaded radiation image capturing apparatus 1
is able to move in the vertical direction in the cassette holder
51a. When the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A is for
lying position capturing, the moving apparatus is configured so
that the loaded radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is able to
move in the horizontal direction in the cassette holder 51a.
[0246] According to such configuration, the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 can be positioned in the capturing site of
the subject H by moving the radiation image capturing apparatus 1
in the cassette holder 51a of the long length capturing bucky
apparatus 51A. Therefore, since the posture of the subject H does
not have to be moved and the position of the cassette holder 51a
does not have to be changed depending on the capturing site of the
subject H, the ease of use for the user such as the radiology
technician, etc. is enhanced.
[0247] When the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is moved in
the cassette holder 51a as described above in a state in which the
plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are loaded on
the cassette holder 51A of the long length capturing bucky
apparatus 51A, and the simple capturing is performed, preferably,
for example, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 which is not
used in the capturing is able to evacuate in the cassette holder M
a to a direction away from the subject H. According to such
configuration, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to be used
in capturing can be accurately moved in the cassette holder Ma of
the long length capturing bucky apparatus MA and capturing can be
performed without being interfered by the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 which is not used in the capturing.
[0248] According to the above-described embodiments, as shown in
FIG. 1, etc., as the radiation irradiating apparatus 52, the wide
angle irradiating type radiation irradiating apparatus is used.
Such radiation irradiating apparatus is able to irradiate radiation
to the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded
on the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A simultaneously (in
other words, with one shot). Therefore, when the radiation image
capturing apparatus 1 is moved in the cassette holder Ma of the
long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A to perform simple
capturing, the position and the irradiating direction of the
radiation irradiating apparatus 52 do not necessarily have to be
changed. (In this case also, the irradiating field of the radiation
is narrowed to the necessary range so that the amount of
irradiation to the subject H does not increase.)
[0249] However, preferably, in simple capturing, the radiation
irradiating apparatus 52 is moved synchronizing with the movement
of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the cassette holder
51a and then the radiation is irradiated.
[0250] In other words, for example, when the long length capturing
bucky apparatus 51A is for standing position capturing, and if the
radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is moved to the position at
the top edge in the cassette holder 51a, if the radiation
irradiating apparatus 52 is the wide angle irradiating type, the
radiation can be irradiated to the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 in the top edge position in the cassette holder 51a
without changing the position (height) and the irradiating
direction of the radiation irradiating apparatus 52. However, in
this case, capturing is performed by irradiating the radiation to
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 from the bottom side, and
the physician who interprets the generated radiation image p may
feel that something is wrong with the image.
[0251] Therefore, when the simple capturing is performed by moving
the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the cassette holder
51a of the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A as described
above, preferably, the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 is moved
synchronizing with the movement of the radiation image capturing
apparatus 1 in the cassette holder 51a so that the position
(height) of the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 becomes the same
position (height) as the radiation image capturing apparatus 1, and
the capturing is performed.
[0252] The present invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiments, and the present invention can be suitably modified
without leaving the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *