JPH11258715A - Radiograph reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a radiograph reader constituted so that unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when a radiograph conversion plate is kept can be effectively eliminated. SOLUTION: This radiograph reader reading a radiograph is provided with a cassette holding part 3 holding plural cassettes housing a radiograph recording medium, a recording medium carrying mechanism 4 taking out the radiograph recording medium from the cassette and carrying it, a read means 5 reading the radiograph recorded on the carried radiograph recording medium as a latent image, an erasing means 13 erasing the latent image of the radiograph recording medium and a control means 6 measuring the holding time of the cassette by the cassette holding means 3 and executing such a control action that the radiograph recording medium housed in the cassette held in the time being equal to or over the prescribed time is carried by the carrying mechanism 4 and irradiated with erasing light for secondarily erasing the latent image by an erasing light source.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a radiation image reading apparatus using a radiation image conversion plate such as a stimulable phosphor (stimulable phosphor plate).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Radiation (X-ray, α-ray,
When irradiated with β-rays, r-rays, ultraviolet rays, etc.), a part of the radiation energy is accumulated in the phosphor. It is known that when this phosphor is irradiated with excitation light such as visible light, the phosphor emits stimulated emission according to the stored energy. Phosphors exhibiting such properties are called storage phosphors or stimulable phosphors.

Using this stimulable phosphor, radiation image information of a human body or the like is temporarily recorded on a stimulable phosphor (stimulable phosphor plate) provided on a sheet, and the stimulable phosphor is used. The plate can be scanned with excitation light such as laser light to generate stimulated emission light, and the obtained stimulated emission light can be photoelectrically read to obtain an image signal.

After reading the radiation image information,
It is known that radiation image information accumulated in a radiation image conversion plate is erased by irradiating excitation light of sufficient intensity.

Conventionally, in order to irradiate sufficient light within the wavelength range of photostimulated excitation for erasing, a halogen lamp, a fluorescent lamp,
A laser diode or the like was used.

[0006]

The radiation image conversion plate erased as described above is converted into natural radiation or the like until it is used again (storage time), and stores unnecessary radiation energy. .

[0007] The accumulated radiation energy appears as noise when the radiation image conversion plate is used again. In order to eliminate such noise, conventionally, the operator has to erase the radiation image conversion plate again before use.

In this case, if the storage time before reuse is short, unnecessary accumulation of radiation energy hardly occurs, so that erasure before use is unnecessary. If the storage time is long before reuse, careful erasure may be required. However, since the storage is not controlled, the erasing is performed uniformly before using the radiation image conversion plate.

For example, in the invention described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-51458, a special erasure called secondary erasure is performed on a radiation image conversion plate that has been left for 6 to 8 hours or more. In this case, a radiation image conversion plate stacker is provided, and an erasing operation is performed immediately before the radiographic image conversion plate is loaded from the stacker to the cassette immediately before imaging.

In the technique described in this publication, since a radiation image conversion plate is loaded on a cassette immediately before photographing, a sheet stacker is required inside the apparatus. In addition, in the case of a small device without this, it is necessary to take out the radiation image conversion plate from the cassette one by one,
Alternatively, it is necessary to load a new cassette into the apparatus and start the erasing process. Thus, there is a problem that the operator's hand is troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to save unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when storing a radiation image conversion plate without bothering an operator. An object of the present invention is to realize a radiation image reading apparatus that can be effectively erased.

[0012]

Accordingly, the invention as a means for solving the problem is described below. (1) A radiographic image reading apparatus for reading a radiographic image, comprising: a cassette holding unit for holding a plurality of cassettes accommodating a radiographic image recording medium; and a radiographic image recording medium from the cassette. Recording medium transport mechanism for taking out and transporting the radiation image recording medium, reading means for reading a radiation image recorded as a latent image on the transported radiation image recording medium, erasing means for erasing the latent image on the radiation image recording medium, and cassette Control means for conveying the radiation image recording medium accommodated in the storage medium by the recording medium conveyance mechanism, and performing control for irradiating erasing light for secondary erasing by the erasing light source. It is a radiation image reading device.

In this radiation image reading apparatus, a control for irradiating an erasing light for secondary erasing from an erasing light source while taking out and transporting a radiation image recording medium contained in a cassette held in the apparatus from the cassette is carried out. Since it is performed, unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when storing the radiation image conversion plate can be effectively erased without bothering the operator.

(2) A radiographic image reading apparatus for reading a radiographic image according to a second aspect of the present invention, wherein a cassette holding section for holding a plurality of cassettes accommodating a radiographic image recording medium; A recording medium transport mechanism for taking out and transporting the image recording medium, reading means for reading a radiation image recorded as a latent image on the transported radiation image recording medium, and erasing means for erasing the latent image on the radiation image recording medium A timer for measuring the time that the cassette is held in the cassette holding unit; and transporting the radiation image recording medium contained in the cassette in which the measured value of the timer has reached a predetermined value or more to the recording medium transport. Control means for carrying out control by irradiating erasing light for secondary erasing by the erasing light source by conveying by a mechanism. It is a radiation image reading apparatus.

In this radiation image reading apparatus, when the storage time of the radiation image conversion plate becomes equal to or longer than a predetermined value, the radiation image recording medium contained in the cassette held in the apparatus is taken out of the cassette and transported. In addition, since the erasing light source is controlled to irradiate the erasing light for secondary erasing, unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when storing the radiation image conversion plate is troublesome for the operator. Can be effectively deleted without

For example, by designating a storage time corresponding to one night as a predetermined storage time, it is possible to surely erase the fogging caused by storage at night. Further, in the case of storage for a short time such that no fogging occurs, no erasing is performed, so that useless operation is not performed.

(3) A radiation image reading apparatus for reading a radiation image according to a third aspect of the present invention, wherein a cassette holding section for holding a plurality of cassettes accommodating a radiation image recording medium; A recording medium transport mechanism for taking out and transporting the image recording medium, reading means for reading a radiation image recorded as a latent image on the transported radiation image recording medium, and erasing means for erasing the latent image on the radiation image recording medium And, when the cassette holding means is in a state in which the cassette is held, a time measuring means for monitoring the time, the radiation image recording medium accommodated in the cassette at the time when the predetermined time in the time measuring means,
A radiation image reading apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls the recording medium to be conveyed by the recording medium conveyance mechanism and irradiates erasing light for secondary erasing by the erasing light source.

In this radiation image reading apparatus, when a predetermined time comes during storage of the radiation image conversion plate, the radiation image recording medium contained in the cassette held in the apparatus is taken out of the cassette and transported. The erasing light from the erasing light source is controlled to irradiate the erasing light for secondary erasing, so unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when storing the radiation image conversion plate is saved without the operator's hand. Can be effectively deleted.

For example, by designating the time before the start of use in the morning, it becomes possible to surely erase the fogging caused by storage at night before the start of use. Further, in the case of short-time storage during the day when fogging does not occur, no erasing is performed, so that useless operation is not performed.

(4) The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that:
(3) In the radiation image reading apparatus of (3), the erasing means is the same as that used for erasing a latent image after reading a radiation image recording medium.

In this radiation image reading apparatus, since the secondary erasing is performed by the same erasing means as the primary erasing, a complicated mechanism becomes unnecessary, and the unnecessary storage when storing the radiation image conversion plate is unnecessary. The radiation energy can be effectively eliminated without bothering the operator.

(5) The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that:
(3) In the radiation image reading apparatus of (3), the erasing means is a dedicated erasing means different from that used for erasing a latent image after reading the radiation image recording medium.

In this radiation image reading apparatus, secondary erasing is performed by erasing means different from erasing means for primary erasing, so that an erasing operation independent of normal reading and erasing operations becomes possible. Unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when storing the radiation image conversion plate can be effectively erased without bothering the operator.

(6) The radiation image reading apparatus according to (5), wherein the recording medium transport mechanism includes a first recording medium transport mechanism that transports the radiation image recording medium to the reading unit. A second recording medium transport mechanism for transporting the radiation image recording medium to the dedicated erasing means,
It is characterized by consisting of.

This radiation image reading apparatus includes a first recording medium transport mechanism used for normal reading and a second recording medium transport mechanism used for secondary erasing, and is different from primary erasing means. Since the secondary erasing is performed by the erasing means, an erasing operation independent of a normal reading and erasing operation becomes possible, and unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when storing the radiation image conversion plate is stored. It can be deleted effectively without bothering the operator.

(7) The radiation image reading apparatus according to (5) or (6), wherein the erasing of the latent image by the erasing means is performed by reading the latent image on another radiation image recording medium. It is performed in parallel.

In this radiographic image reading apparatus, secondary erasing is performed in parallel with reading of another radiation image recording medium by erasing means different from erasing means for primary erasing. An erasing operation independent of the erasing operation becomes possible, and unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when the radiation image conversion plate is stored can be effectively erased without bothering the operator.

(8) The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that:
(7) In the radiation image reading apparatus according to (7), the control unit determines whether or not to execute erasure by referring to a previous erasure history of the radiation image recording medium accommodated in each cassette. I do.

In this radiation image reading apparatus, by referring to the previous erasure history, the radiation image recording medium contained in the cassette held in the apparatus is taken out of the cassette and transported, while the secondary erasure from the erasing light source is performed. For this reason, unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when storing the radiation image conversion plate can be effectively erased without bothering the operator. Further, in the case of storage for a short time such that no fogging occurs, no erasing is performed, so that useless operation is not performed.

[0030]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the radiation image reading apparatus will be described, and then, the erasure, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described.

<1. Schematic Configuration of Radiation Image Reading Device> FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a radiation image reading device. In FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 2 of the radiation image reading apparatus 1 includes a cassette stacker unit 3 as a cassette holding unit, a plate transport unit 4 as a recording medium transport mechanism, an image reading unit 5 as a reading unit, and a control unit as a control unit. A system control unit 6, a display / operation unit 7, and a power supply unit 8 are provided.

A cassette 9 accommodating radiation image conversion plates as a plurality of types of media can be set in the cassette stacker unit 3, and the cassette 9 accommodating the radiation image conversion plate in the cassette stacker unit 3 (FIG. 1). At 9a to 9e) are input. When a predetermined operation is performed from the display / operation unit 7, the radiation image conversion plate 12 is pulled out from the cassette 9 by the plate transport unit 4.

The extracted radiation image conversion plate 12
Is transported by the plate transport unit 4 toward the image reading unit 5. In the image reading section 5, the radiation image conversion plate 12 is fixed, and reading by laser scanning is started. The radiation image conversion plate 12 that has been read by the image reading unit 5 follows the same path and is stored in the original cassette 9.

The operation of erasing the image on the radiation image conversion plate 12 is performed by the erasing unit 13 when the image is stored in the cassette 9. That is, the radiation image conversion plate 12 is stored in the cassette 9 of the cassette stacker unit 3 while erasing the image.

Next, an outline of the control of the radiation image reading apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration related to control of the radiation image reading apparatus. 2, a mechanical unit 40 and a mechanical control unit 41 are provided as the plate transport unit 4, and the mechanical control unit 41 is controlled based on instructions from the main CPU 60 and the reading unit control image input control unit 61.
Controls the mechanism section 40.

Here, the mechanism section 40 pulls out the radiation image conversion plate 12 from the cassette 9 and conveys the drawn out radiation image conversion plate 12 toward the image reading section 5. When the cassette 9 containing the radiation image conversion plate is inserted, the cassette 9 is set in a predetermined state.

The image reading section 5 includes a sub-scanning section mechanism / drive section 50 and a main scanning section 51. The main scanning section 51 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the sub-scanning section mechanism / drive section 50, and the main scanning section is driven. The image reading by the laser scanning of the unit 51 is performed.

The system control unit 6 includes a main CPU 60
And a reading section control image input control section 61.
The main CPU 60 is connected to a system disk 62 storing a system program, image disks 63 and 64 storing image information, and is connected via a board 65 to a host computer 66, a diagnostic device 67 and a patient registration terminal 68. You.

The main CPU 60 performs overall control, image processing, output control, and image management. The reading unit control image input control unit 61 controls the mechanical control unit 41, the sub-scanning unit mechanism / drive unit 50, and the main scanning unit 51 to read an image on the radiation image conversion plate 12, and transmits the image information to the main CPU.
Send to 60. Further, under the control of the main CPU 60, the erasing section 13 erases the radiation image conversion plate 12.

The display / operation section 7 has a CRT display section 7 as a display section for displaying an image read by the image reading section 5.
0, and a touch panel 71 as an operation unit provided on the display screen of the CRT display unit 70. Command information from the touch panel 71 is sent to the main CPU 60, and the main CPU 60 performs control based on an input command. .

Next, the appearance of the radiation image reading apparatus will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the cassette is not set in the radiation image reading apparatus. 4 is a front view showing the front of the radiation image reading apparatus with the cassette set, FIG. 5 is a left side view in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a right side view of the radiation image reading apparatus in FIG. is there.

In these figures, the cassette stacker unit 3 and the display / operation unit 7 are arranged substantially horizontally in the upper part of the radiation image reading apparatus. That is, the cassette stacker unit 3 is disposed on the upper right side of the radiation image reading apparatus 1, and the display / operation unit 7 is disposed on the upper left side of the radiation image reading apparatus.

In the example shown here, the cassette stacker section 3 has a loading section 300 provided for every five slots. The display / operation unit 7 includes a CRT display unit 70 as a display unit, and a touch panel 71 as an operation unit provided on a display surface of the CRT display unit 70.
On the display unit 70, operations such as examination reservation and patient registration, status display / setting of each unit of the apparatus, and display of the read image are performed.

The CRT display unit 70 has, for example, a 15 inch CR.
T display device (24 bit color, monochrome 25
(6 gradations / resolution: 1024 × 768 dots) is used, and the operation input is performed by the touch panel 71 on the CRT display unit 70. Touch panel 7 of the present embodiment
1 is an optical system that reacts by blocking light, for example, infrared rays.

The input section 300 includes an input guide section 301 and a storage section 302. Injection guide section 301
Is formed so as to extend toward the storage portion 302 in a groove shape, and to guide the cassette 9 to the storage portion 302 in a vertical state. The cassette 9 is stored and held in the storage section 302 with a predetermined gap.

The cassette 9 is vertically loaded with the longitudinal direction of the cassette being horizontal and the front side of the apparatus as a reference.
At the same time as the cassette 9 is inserted, the light-blocking shutter 303 provided at the opening of the storage section 302 is closed for each slot to prevent light leakage from the opening.

The cassette 9 can be removed from each slot, and an LED lamp 304 indicating that reading is in progress is provided so that the cassette 9 is not accidentally removed. <2. Cassette> Here, a radiation image reading apparatus The cassette 9 used in 1 will be described in detail.

The cassette accommodating the radiation image conversion plate is configured as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where the radiation image conversion plate is accommodated in the cassette. FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state where the conversion plate is pulled out, and FIG. 9 is a plan view of the cassette.

The cassette 9 includes case halves 900 and 901.
And the periphery is tightened with screws 902 to be integrated. An opening 903 is formed in one side of the cassette 9, and the radiation image conversion plate 12 can be pulled out from the opening 903.

The radiation image conversion plate 12 has a stimulable phosphor layer, and the stimulable phosphor layer accumulates energy in accordance with the radiation transmittance distribution of the subject with respect to the amount of irradiation radiation from the radiation source. To form a latent image. The radiation image conversion plate 12 is provided with a stimulable phosphor layer by vapor deposition or coating. The stimulable phosphor layer is shielded or covered with a protective member in order to prevent adverse effects and damage due to the environment.

[0051] As the material of the radiation image converting plate, for ^{example, M I X · aM II X} '2 · bM III X "3: alkali Hyde phosphor represented by cA, (although, M ^I is Li, N
a, K, Rb and Cs represent at least one kind of alkali metal, and M ^II is at least one of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cd, Cu and Ni.
M ^{II I} represents Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, P
m, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Al, Ga, In represents at least one kind of trivalent metal, and X, X ′, X ″ represent F, Cl, Br, I
A represents Eu, Tb, Ce, T
m, Dy, Pr, Ho, Nd, Yb, Er, Gd, Lu, Sm, Y, Tl, Na, Ag, Cu, Mg. Also, a, b, and c are 0 ≦ a <
It is a numerical value in a range satisfying 0.5, 0 ≦ b <0.5, and 0 <c ≦ 0.2. In addition, for example, (Ba _1-xy Mg _x Ca _y ) FX: eEu ²⁺ (where X is at least one of Br and Cl, x, y
And e are numbers satisfying the condition 0 <x + y <0.6, xy ≠ 0, 10 ⁻⁶ ≦ e ≦ 5 × 10 ⁻² , respectively. ) Represented by, for example, BaFX: xCe, yA, (where X is at least one of ClBr and I, A
Is at least one of ln, Tl, Gd, Sm and Zn, and x and y are respectively 0 <x ≦ 2 × 10 ⁻¹ and 0 <y <5 × 10 ⁻² . Fluorescence represented by the phosphor BaBr: Eu ²⁺ represented by) is used.

The radiation image conversion plate 12 is a cassette 9
A pair of locking pins 905 fixed to an inner rigid tray 904 and corresponding to portions other than the area where an image is recorded.
Is provided on the tray 904, and the pair of locking pins 905
Penetrates the tray 904 of the radiation image conversion plate 12. A guide plate 9 is attached to the pair of locking pins 905.
A guide hole 906 a is provided so as to be slidable, and a cap 907 that covers the opening is attached to the guide plate 906.

A lock mechanism 908 is built in the cap 907, and the lock of the lock mechanism 908 can be released from the lock hole 909. Also, the cap 907 has
A pair of levers 910 are provided.
0, the cap 907 is opened and closed, and the radiation image conversion plate 12 together with the tray 904 is pulled out from the cassette 9 or stored.

Table 1 shows an example of the type of the cassette 9 and the cassette size.

[0055]

[Table 1]

An identification label 911 is affixed to the cassette 9, and identification information in white and black is recorded on the identification label 911. The type and size of the cassette 9 are detected by detecting the identification information of the identification label 911. And an erroneous insertion into the cassette stacker unit 3 is detected.

Further, the identification direction of the cassette 9 and the front and back sides are determined by the identification seal 911. In addition, the vertical direction of the cassette 9 is indicated by the vertical direction mark 912, but the vertical direction may be specified by inserting the cassette 9 into the cassette stacker unit 3 with the cap 907 on the lower side. .

The cassette 9 has a case half 900.
A medical record clip 913 is provided at the center, and a concave portion 900a is formed in the case half 900 around the medical record clip 913. The medical record and the like are held by the concave portion 900a and the medical record clip 913.

<3. Plate Transport Unit> Plate Transport Unit 4
Is a device main body 2 of the radiation image reading apparatus 1, which is disposed below the cassette stacker section 3,
Then, the radiation image conversion plate 12 is transported between the cassette position of the cassette stacker unit 3 and the cassette stacker unit 3.

The mechanism section 40 provided in the plate transport section 4
Is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the mechanism 4
At 0, a support frame 400 is supported by guide rails 401 and 402 arranged vertically. The guide rails 401 and 402 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the cassette 9 stored in the cassette stacker unit 3. The lower end of the support frame 400 is fixed to a transport belt 403 disposed below, and the transport belt 403 is driven by a transport motor 404, whereby the support frame 400 moves along the guide rails 401 and 402.

The erasing section 1 is provided above the support frame 400.
3 is attached. As the erasing light source of the erasing unit 13, for example, two 300 W halogen lamps (driving voltage 90 V) are used, and the moving speed of the radiation image conversion plate 12 during erasing is 10.5 mm / sec.
2 can be changed according to the image recording.

The halogen lamp is an erasing light source, and turns on and irradiates the radiation image conversion plate 12 with erasing light to erase an afterimage (primary erasing). The elimination of the afterimage is to irradiate the radiation image conversion plate 12 with erasing light to emit residual radiation energy in the radiation image conversion plate 12 after scanning and reading with a laser beam.

The primary erasure is performed during the transportation when returning the read radiation image conversion plate 12 to the cassette 9. The elimination of fog (secondary erasure) occurring during storage of the radiation image conversion plate 12 will be described in detail separately.

The support frame 400 is provided with a guide shaft 410 in a vertical direction, and a cassette clinch 411 is attached to the guide shaft 410 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

The cassette lynch 411 is provided with the cap 90.
7 has a function of being pulled out of the cassette loaded in the apparatus by being engaged with the lever 910, and storing the radiation image conversion plate 12 therein.

The cassette linch 411 is attached to a transport belt 405 arranged vertically, and the transport belt 405 is driven by a transport motor 406 arranged below the support frame 400, whereby the cassette linch 411 is guided by the guide shaft. It moves up and down along 410.
The support frame 400 is provided with a holding roller 407 for preventing the radiation image conversion plate 12 from falling down,
The end of the radiation image conversion plate 12 outside the image recording area is held.

<4. Image Reading Unit> FIG. 10 is a side view of the sub-scanning unit, and FIG. 11 is an optical configuration diagram showing an optical system of the image reading unit.

(1) Sub-scanning Unit Mechanism / Drive Unit The image reading unit 5 is built in the apparatus main body 2 of the radiation image reading apparatus 1 and is arranged below the display / operation unit 7. Sub-scanning mechanism / drive unit 5 provided in image reading unit 5
0 conveys the main scanning section 51 in the sub-scanning direction.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 10, and 11, the sub-scanning mechanism / drive unit 50 has a guide shaft 500 facing the radiation image conversion plate 12 and a ball screw 501 arranged in parallel. Have been. The guide shaft 500 is located above, and the ball screw 501 is located below. The main scanning unit 51 is held vertically by the guide shaft 500 and the ball screw 501, and can be moved horizontally.

The ball screw 501 is provided with a motor 502, and the motor 502 drives the ball screw 501 to move the main scanning unit 51 in the sub-scanning direction. (2) Main Scanning As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the main scanning unit 51 includes a laser beam generating unit 510, a polygon mirror 511, an fθ lens forming a condenser 512, a reflecting mirror 513, a light receiving unit 514, and the like. It is configured integrally. The laser beam generator 510 includes a gas laser as a light source. It has a solid-state laser, a semiconductor laser, and the like. The laser beam generator 510 generates a laser beam whose emission intensity is controlled as excitation light.

The laser beam reaches the polygon mirror 511 via the optical system, is deflected there, and is condensed by the fθ lens forming the condensing body 512, and is reflected by the reflecting mirror 51.
The light path is deflected at 3 and is guided to the radiation image conversion plate 12 as scanning light for stimulating excitation. An image is read by receiving the stimulated emission emitted by the radiation image conversion plate 12 scanned by the laser beam by the light receiving unit 514. The light receiving section 514 is configured using a long photomultiplier 514a and a flat plate light collector 514b.

The light enters the long photomultiplier 514a and is photoelectrically converted into an electric signal corresponding to the incident light. That is, the stimulated emission enters the long photomultiplier 514a via the flat plate condensing body 514b and is photoelectrically converted, so that an output current corresponding to a radiation image is obtained.
The output current from the long photomultiplier 514a is
The signal is converted into a voltage signal by a current / voltage exchanger (not shown), amplified by an amplifier (not shown), and then converted into a digital image signal by an A / D converter. The digital image signal is sequentially output to an image processing circuit, where it is subjected to various image processing such as gradation processing, and then stored as it is on an image disk, or visualized by a CRT display unit 70. I do.

The reading section control image input control section 61 receives various synchronization signals from the polygon mirror 511 and an origin position detection signal from a photo sensor (not shown) for detecting the sub-scanning start position. The main scanning unit 51 is moved at a predetermined speed in the sub-scanning direction from the start position while synchronizing with the main scanning by the polygon mirror 511.

<5. System Control Unit> System control unit 6
Is provided with a main CPU 60 and a reading unit control image input control unit 61, and controls the operation of each unit and performs image processing.

<6. Erasing Operation During Storage of Radiation Image Conversion Plate> Here, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 12 is a subroutine relating to the secondary erasure of the radiation image conversion plate, and operates in the main CPU 60.

The main CPU 60 monitors the operation state of each part of the entire apparatus, and in this embodiment, monitors whether the cassette 9 is mounted on the cassette stacker unit 3 (S1 in FIG. 12).

When the cassette 9 placed on the cassette stacker section 3 is detected in this way, the main CPU 6
0 starts counting by the timer (FIG. 12S
2). The timer is operated independently for each cassette.

Here, the main CPU 60 monitors the elapsed time (measured value) of the timer and the time by the internal clock (S3, S4 in FIG. 12). The main CPU
The operation program 60 includes a predetermined value as the elapsed time (the time during which the accumulation of the radiation energy of the fog becomes equal to or more than a certain value and the erasure is required) and a predetermined value as the time (the fog generated by the night storage is determined in the morning. (Time to be erased before the start of use) is set in advance.

The time and the time can be set by the operator according to the use environment.
Further, the operator can set only one of the predetermined elapsed time and the predetermined time, or can set to operate only one of the elapsed time and the time.

While the radiation image conversion plate 12 is being stored, the predetermined time elapses or the predetermined time is reached.
If detected by the PU 60 (YES in S3 of FIG. 12,
Alternatively, it is detected whether or not there is a cassette currently being read or a cassette waiting to be read (S5 and S6 in FIG. 12). If there are these, the read operation is prioritized over the erase operation.

When there is no reading operation to be prioritized, the plate transport unit 4 pulls out the radiation image conversion plate 12 from the cassette 9 and transports it based on the instruction from the main CPU 60 (S7 in FIG. 12).

The radiation image conversion plate 12
In parallel with the transport of the data, the erasing light source of the erasing unit 13 generates erasing light for secondary erasing. This erasing light is transmitted to the radiation image conversion plate 1 being transported by the plate transport unit 4.
2 to perform secondary erasing (FIG. 12S).
8). Thereafter, based on a command from the main CPU 60, the plate transport unit 4 returns the drawn-out radiation image conversion plate 12 to the cassette 9 (S9 in FIG. 12).

The secondary erasing may be performed in the reciprocation of the conveyance, or may be performed only in the conveyance in any one direction (during drawing or storage). In addition, since the fog is erased, erasing may be performed while performing high-speed conveyance, or erasing with low-illuminance erasing light while performing normal-speed conveyance.

The radiation image conversion plate 12 and the cassette 9 on which the secondary erasure has been performed as described above are as follows.
A deletion history is created or updated (S10 in FIG. 12). The erasing history includes the ID of the cassette 9 and the radiation image conversion plate 12, or the position of the cassette stacker 3 on which the cassette 9 is placed, the date and time of the secondary erasing, and the light amount of the erasing light used for the secondary erasing. The main CPU 60 manages data and the like in a predetermined format.

Thereafter, the main CPU 60 repeats the same operation as described above. The radiation image conversion plate 1 already subjected to primary erasure and secondary erasure
Regarding the item No. 2, it is preferable that the secondary erasure be performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous primary erasure or secondary erasure with reference to the erase history. When the cassette 9 is removed from the cassette stacker unit 3, the data of the deletion history is cleared for that cassette.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the state of movement of the radiation image conversion plate 12 during erasing. Here, FIG. 13A shows a state of reading and primary erasing, in which the drawing out of the radiation image conversion plate 12 (FIG. 13A) and the movement of the plate transport unit 4 (FIG. 13A).
(A)), reading of the radiation image conversion plate 12 (FIG. 13A), movement of the plate transport unit 4 (FIG. 13).
(A)), the operation of storing the radiation image conversion plate 12 and the primary erasure (FIG. 13 (a)).

FIG. 13B shows the state of secondary erasure, in which the radiation image conversion plate 12 is pulled out (FIG. 13B), the radiation image conversion plate 12 is stored, and the secondary erasure is performed (FIG. 13). (B)).

By doing so, unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when storing the radiation image conversion plate can be effectively erased without bothering the operator.

Further, since the secondary erasure is performed by the minimum operation of pulling out the radiation image conversion plate 12 from the cassette 9 and returning it, the secondary erasure can be quickly performed without using any unnecessary operation or wasted time. Erasing can be performed.

The above-described erasing operation can be performed not only during standby of the apparatus, but also while the plate transport unit 4 transfers the radiation image conversion plate 12 for reading to the image reading unit 5 and performs reading. It is possible.

In this case, in order to prevent the erasing light from the erasing section 13 from leaking to the image reading section 5 side, as shown in FIG. 14 may be attached. The light-shielding plate 14 is preferably made of a soft material so as not to damage the plate even when it comes into contact with the plate, and it is desirable that the light-shielding property can be kept high. For example, moltoprene, a rubber sheet, and the like are effective.

<7. Other Embodiments> (1) In the above embodiment, erasing after image reading (primary erasing) and fogging erasing (secondary erasing) are performed by the same erasing section 13. I was going to do it. In this case,
This has the advantage that the erasing unit 13 can be shared and the configuration is simplified.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a first erasing section 13a for primary erasing and a second erasing section 13b for secondary erasing can be provided separately. is there. In this case, the first erasing unit 13a is the conventional erasing unit 1
3, and a second erasing section 13b is newly provided.

At the time of the secondary erasing, the light amount is not necessary as much as the primary erasing. Therefore, a light source having a light emission amount suitable for the secondary erasing may be provided. In this case, a light emitting diode or the like can be used in addition to the halogen lamp. By arranging a light source dedicated to secondary erasing in this manner, power consumption can be reduced.

(2) In the above embodiment, erasing after image reading (primary erasing) and fogging erasing (secondary erasing) are performed by the same plate transport unit 4. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17 and FIG.
It is also possible to separately provide the second transport unit 40b dedicated to secondary erasure.

In this case, the plate transport section 40a is the same as the conventional plate transport section 4, and the second transport section 40b
Is newly provided. Further, a second erasing unit 13b is also arranged in the second transport unit 40b.

When the plate transport section 40a is moving to the vicinity of the image reading section 5 for reading an image,
Secondary erasing is performed by the second transport unit 40b and the second erasing unit 13b. With this configuration, the secondary erasure can be performed efficiently.

It is desirable that the second transport section 40b can be retracted so as not to hinder the movement of the plate transport section 40a for reading an image. When the image is not being read, secondary erasure may be performed by the plate transport unit 40a and the first erasure unit 13a.
With this configuration, the secondary erasure can be performed more efficiently.

(3) If the time during which the entire apparatus is not used continues for a certain period of time or more, the main CPU 60 supplies other power supply and operation except for a minimum necessary part for maintaining the function of the entire apparatus. "Sleep mode" to stop
Move to

Even in this sleep mode, the main C
By performing the secondary erasure, the PU 60 can effectively erase unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when storing the radiation image conversion plate 12 without bothering the operator.

[0101]

As described in detail above, according to the inventions described in this specification, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) In the radiation image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the radiation image recording medium contained in the cassette held in the apparatus is taken out of the cassette and transported, and the secondary erasure is performed from the erasing light source. Unnecessary radiation energy that accumulates when storing the radiation image conversion plate,
It can be deleted effectively without bothering the operator.

(2) In the radiation image reading apparatus according to the second aspect, when the storage time of the radiation image conversion plate becomes equal to or longer than a predetermined value, the radiation image stored in the cassette held in the apparatus. Unnecessary radiation energy is stored when the radiation image conversion plate is stored because the recording medium is taken out of the cassette and transported while erasing light is emitted from the erasing light source for secondary erasing. Can be effectively erased without bothering the operator.

(3) In the radiation image reading apparatus according to the third aspect, when a predetermined time comes during storage of the radiation image conversion plate, the radiation image recording apparatus accommodated in the cassette held by the apparatus. While taking out and transporting the medium from the cassette, control is performed to irradiate the erasing light for secondary erasing from the erasing light source, so unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when storing the radiation image conversion plate is stored. , Can be effectively deleted without bothering the operator.

(4) In the radiation image reading apparatus according to the fourth aspect, since the secondary erasure is performed by the same erasing means as the primary erasure, a complicated mechanism is not required, and the radiation image conversion plate is not required. Unnecessary radiation energy that is accumulated when the data is stored can be effectively erased without bothering the operator.

(5) In the radiographic image reading apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the secondary erasing is performed by the erasing means different from the erasing means for the primary erasing. Independent erasing operation can be performed, and unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when the radiation image conversion plate is stored can be effectively erased without bothering the operator.

(6) The radiation image reading apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention includes a first recording medium transport mechanism used for normal reading, and a second recording medium transport mechanism used for secondary erasing. Secondary erasing is performed by erasing means different from the erasing means for primary erasing, enabling erasing operations independent of normal reading and erasing operations. Unnecessary radiation energy to be stored can be effectively erased without bothering the operator.

(7) In the radiation image reading apparatus according to the seventh aspect, secondary erasure is performed in parallel with reading of another radiation image recording medium by an erasing means different from the erasing means for primary erasing. The erasing operation can be performed independently of the normal reading and erasing operations, and unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when storing the radiation image conversion plate can be effectively used without bothering the operator. Can be deleted.

(8) In the radiation image reading apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the radiation image recording medium stored in the cassette held in the apparatus is taken out of the cassette and transported by referring to the previous erasure history. In addition, since the erasing light source is controlled to irradiate the erasing light for secondary erasing, unnecessary radiation energy accumulated when storing the radiation image conversion plate is troublesome for the operator. Can be effectively deleted without Further, in the case of storage for a short time such that no fogging occurs, no erasing is performed, so that useless operation is not performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a radiation image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the radiation image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the radiation image reading apparatus in a state where a cassette is not set.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the radiation image reading apparatus with a cassette set;

FIG. 5 is a left side view in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the radiation image reading apparatus in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where a radiation image conversion plate is stored in a cassette.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where a radiation image conversion plate is pulled out from a cassette.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the cassette.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a sub-scanning unit.

FIG. 11 is an optical configuration diagram showing an optical system of an image reading unit.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of secondary erasure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state of secondary erasure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a radiation image reading apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a radiation image reading apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a control block diagram of a radiation image reading apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a radiation image reading apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a control block diagram of a radiation image reading apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 Cassette stacker unit 4 Plate transport unit 5 Image reading unit 6 System control unit 7 Display / operation unit 9 Cassette 12 Radiation image conversion plate 13 Erasing unit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A radiographic image reading apparatus for reading a radiographic image, comprising: a cassette holding unit for holding a plurality of cassettes accommodating a radiographic image recording medium; and a recording for taking out the radiographic image recording medium from the cassette and transporting the cassette. Medium transport mechanism, reading means for reading a radiation image recorded as a latent image on the transported radiation image recording medium, erasing means for erasing the latent image on the radiation image recording medium, and radiation image contained in the cassette Control means for controlling the recording medium to be conveyed by the recording medium conveying mechanism and irradiating erasing light for secondary erasing by the erasing light source. 2. A radiographic image reading apparatus for reading a radiographic image, comprising: a cassette holding unit for holding a plurality of cassettes accommodating a radiographic image recording medium; and a recording for taking out the radiographic image recording medium from the cassette and conveying the radiographic image recording medium. A medium transport mechanism; reading means for reading a radiation image recorded as a latent image on the transported radiation image recording medium; erasing means for erasing the latent image on the radiation image recording medium; and a cassette holding means for the cassette holding means. A timer for measuring the held time; and a radiation image recording medium contained in a cassette in which the value measured by the timer is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Control means for performing control for irradiating erasing light for secondary erasing with the radiation image reading apparatus. . 3. A radiation image reading apparatus for reading a radiation image, comprising: a cassette holding section for holding a plurality of cassettes containing a radiation image recording medium; and a recording for taking out the radiation image recording medium from the cassette and transporting the same. A medium transport mechanism; reading means for reading a radiation image recorded as a latent image on the transported radiation image recording medium; erasing means for erasing the latent image on the radiation image recording medium; and a cassette holding means for the cassette holding means. A timekeeping means for monitoring the time when being held, and a radiation image recording medium accommodated in a cassette at a time when a predetermined time has come in the timekeeping means, transported by the recording medium transport mechanism, Control means for performing control for irradiating erasing light for secondary erasing by the erasing light source; Image reading apparatus. 4. The radiation according to claim 1, wherein the erasing means is the same as that used for erasing a latent image after reading a radiation image recording medium. Image reading device. 5. The erasing means according to claim 1, wherein said erasing means is a dedicated erasing means different from that used for erasing a latent image after reading a radiation image recording medium. The radiation image reading device according to any one of the above. 6. A first recording medium transport mechanism for transporting a radiation image recording medium to said reading means.
6. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a recording medium transport mechanism configured to transport the radiation image recording medium to the dedicated erasing unit. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the erasing of the latent image by the erasing means is performed in parallel with the reading of the latent image on another radiation image recording medium. Radiation image reader. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means determines whether or not to execute erasing by referring to a previous erasing history of the radiation image recording medium accommodated in each cassette. The radiation image reading device according to claim 7.