JP5777279B2 - Radiography system, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiation imaging system using a solid-state imaging device or the like.

  In recent years, digital radiography systems have been used for radiography for medical diagnosis. In general, this type of radiation digital imaging system includes a radiation imaging apparatus and a radiation detector.

  The radiation imaging apparatus is an apparatus that manages imaging information such as setting of imaging conditions and confirmation of a captured image, acquires a captured image from a radiation detector, and controls driving of the radiation detector. In addition, the radiation detector uses a phosphor to convert radiation into visible light proportional to its intensity, then converts it into an analog electrical signal using a photoelectric conversion element, and further converts it into an electrical signal via an A / D conversion circuit. The signal is converted into a digital signal. A photoelectric conversion element consists of solid-state image sensors, such as an amorphous silicon, for example, and comprises the two-dimensional sensor by arranging a photoelectric conversion element in a matrix form.

  Usually, the radiation imaging apparatus and the radiation detector are connected via a communication cable, and the radiation imaging apparatus controls the radiation detector via this communication cable. Therefore, there exists a problem that the portability of a radiation detector will be restrict | limited to the range which a communication cable reaches. Further, there is a problem that the communication cable becomes an obstacle when the radiographer makes contact with the radiation detector on the subject.

  In order to solve these problems, a method of adopting wireless communication such as UWE (Ultra Wide Band) has been proposed as a communication method between the radiation imaging apparatus and the radiation detector. However, simply changing from a wired communication cable to a wireless communication causes a new problem. For example, when there are a plurality of radiation detectors, operation control of the apparatus becomes complicated between the radiation imaging apparatus and the radiation detector. Alternatively, it is difficult and difficult for the imaging technician to handle the radiation detector. In the worst case, imaging control is performed with respect to a radiation detector different from the radiation detector in contact with the subject, and the imaging engineer is not aware of this and cannot obtain a desired radiation image. The situation is also conceivable.

  When such a situation occurs, radiography of the subject is performed again in order to obtain a desired radiographic image. In other words, the risk of such a problem is a very serious and serious problem in the field where reliability of operation control, safety of the imaging engineer / subject, etc. are emphasized as in radiography.

  With respect to the above-described problem, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a method for preventing a radiation detector from being mistaken.

JP 2004-141473 A JP 2009-63999 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable that, when a recording engineer removes a recording medium from a mistaken radiation detector and inserts it into an imaging apparatus, radiography is started while the radiation detector is mistaken.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, there is a possibility that the radiation detector may be mistaken while the radiation imaging apparatus is performed after the radiographer attaches the subject identifier storage medium to the radiation detector. Furthermore, in order to use the radiation imaging apparatus, it is necessary to change the hospital operation mode to the operation mode using the subject identifier storage medium.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 both require an imaging engineer to mount a storage medium.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and improve the reliability of operation control and the safety of imaging technicians and subjects, which are concerns when radio communication is applied to the radiation imaging system. Is to provide.

Therefore, a radiation imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a radiation detector that captures a radiation image of a subject based on radiation transmitted through the subject, an imaging gantry on which the radiation detector is mounted, and the radiation detector. A control unit for controlling, a communication unit provided on the imaging pedestal to communicate with the radiation detector, and the detection of the radiation by the communication unit in response to detection of attachment of the radiation detector to the imaging gantry Control means for transmitting information for wireless communication with the control device by a detector to the radiation detector and storing identification information of the radiation detector received from the radiation detector in a storage unit; It is characterized by having.

  According to the radiation imaging system of the present invention, radiation imaging is performed using a radiation detector and a radiation imaging apparatus mounted on an imaging table such as an operating table or a supine / stand-up imaging frame. Prevent mistakes in detector detection. At the same time, it is possible to eliminate the operation of attaching the storage medium to the photographing engineer, and the reliability of the operation control, the safety of the photographing engineer / subject, and the like are improved.

1 is a configuration diagram of a radiation imaging system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block circuit block diagram of a radiography system. It is a top view of an imaging stand and a radiation detector. It is an operation | movement flowchart figure of a radiography. It is a detailed operation | movement flowchart figure of the arrangement | positioning step of a detector. It is a detailed operation | movement flowchart figure of a communication setting step. It is a detailed operation | movement flowchart figure of an imaging | photography standby step. It is a detailed operation | movement flowchart figure of an imaging | photography step. It is a block circuit block diagram of the radiography system of Example 2. FIG. It is an operation | movement flowchart figure of a radiography. It is an operation | movement flowchart figure of a communication setting step. 6 is a block circuit configuration diagram of a radiation imaging system according to Embodiment 3. FIG. It is an operation | movement flowchart figure of a radiography. It is an operation | movement flowchart figure of a communication setting step. It is explanatory drawing of an imaging | photography management table.

  The present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of the radiation imaging system of the first embodiment. A radiation detector mounting portion 3 for mounting the radiation detector 2 is attached to the back surface of the imaging base 1 on which the subject lies. A radiation imaging device 4 is connected to the radiation detector mounting unit 3, and a radiation generator 5 and a display operation unit 6 are connected to the radiation imaging device 4. The radiation generator 5 is connected to an exposure switch 7 for instructing X-ray exposure. An arm unit 8 that can be freely driven is provided above the imaging gantry 1, and an X-ray tube 9 that irradiates X-rays is disposed on the tip thereof.

  FIG. 2 shows a block circuit configuration diagram of the radiation imaging system. The imaging stand 1 is provided with a setting communication device 11 including a radiation detector mounting portion 3 and a USB infrared adapter.

  A radiation detector control unit 21 is provided in the radiation detector 2. The radiation detector control unit 21 includes an imaging unit 22, a setting communication unit 23 including an infrared adapter, an imaging communication unit 24, and a power switch 25. It is connected. The setting communication unit 23 is connected to the setting communication device 11 of the imaging gantry 1.

  In the radiation imaging apparatus 4, an imaging apparatus control unit 41 is provided. The imaging apparatus control unit 41 includes a setting communication unit 42, an imaging communication unit 43, and a generation device communication unit 44, which are USB (Universal Serial Bus). It is connected. The setting communication unit 42 is connected to the setting communication device 11 of the imaging gantry 1, and the imaging communication unit 43 is connected to the imaging communication unit 24 of the radiation detector 2. Further, the display operation unit 6 connected to the radiation imaging apparatus 4 is a touch panel display that has both a screen display unit that performs screen display and an HID (Human Interface Device) that detects input from the imaging technician.

  A generator control unit 51 is provided in the radiation generator 5, and a generator communication unit 52, an external exposure switch 7, and an X-ray tube 9 are connected to the generator control unit 51. The generator communication unit 52 is connected to the generator communication unit 44 of the radiation imaging apparatus 4.

  The radiation detector 2 and the radiation imaging apparatus 4 perform wireless communication via UWE, the imaging gantry 1 and the radiation imaging apparatus 4 transmit and receive information via a USB connection, and the imaging gantry 1 and the radiation detector 2 communicate with infrared rays. Send and receive information via communication. The radiation imaging apparatus 4 and the radiation generation apparatus 5 transmit and receive information via a LAN (Local Area Network) communication using a NIC (Network Interface Card).

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the imaging gantry 1 and the radiation detector 2. A setting communication unit 23 is built in the side surface of the radiation detector 2, and a setting communication device 11 is arranged on the inner side surface of the radiation detector mounting unit 3. Therefore, when the radiation detector 2 is mounted on the radiation detector mounting portion 3 of the imaging gantry 1, the setting communication unit 23 and the setting communication device 11 are arranged to face each other, and infrared communication can be performed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of performing radiation imaging in the radiation imaging system. First, in step S11, the radiation detector 2 is mounted on the radiation detector mounting unit 3, and communication setting is performed in step S12. Subsequently, in step S13, the camera waits for shooting. After shooting is performed in step S14, the process ends in step S15.

  FIG. 5 is a detailed operation flowchart in step S11 of FIG. First, in step S11a, the radiographer presses the power switch 25 of the radiation detector 2 that performs radiography to turn on the radiation detector 2. In step S11b, the radiation detector control unit 21 detects the operation of the power switch 25 by the imaging engineer, and puts the setting communication unit 23 into the setting communication standby state. Subsequently, in step S11c, the imaging technician attaches the radiation detector 2 to the radiation detector attaching portion 3 of the imaging gantry 1 and proceeds to step S12.

  FIG. 6 is a detailed operation flowchart in step S12 of FIG. In step S12a, the imaging gantry 1 transmits the setting information transmitted to the radiation detector 2 to the radiation imaging apparatus 4 at the same time as the setting communication device 11 transmits the setting information to the radiation detector 2.

  In step S12b, the radiation detector control unit 21 in the radiation detector 2 receives the setting information transmitted from the imaging gantry 1 via the setting communication unit 23, and the radiation detector control unit 21 receives the received setting information. Based on this, the photographing communication unit 24 is set in a wireless communication standby state.

  In step S <b> 12 c, the imaging apparatus control unit 41 in the radiation imaging apparatus 4 receives the setting information transmitted by the setting communication device 11 of the imaging platform 1 via the setting communication unit 42. Then, as the next stage, the imaging apparatus control unit 41 transmits a wireless communication start request to the radiation detector 2 via the imaging communication unit 43 based on the received setting information.

  In step S <b> 12 d, the radiation detector control unit 21 in the radiation detector 2 receives the wireless communication start request transmitted from the radiation imaging apparatus 4 via the setting communication unit 23.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 12 e, the radiation detector control unit 21 starts wireless communication via the imaging communication unit 24. In step S12e, the imaging apparatus control unit 41 in the radiation imaging apparatus 4 receives the wireless communication start information transmitted from the radiation detector 2 from the imaging communication unit 43, starts wireless communication, and proceeds to step S13.

  FIG. 7 is a detailed operation flowchart in step S13 of FIG. In step S <b> 13 a, the imaging device control unit 41 in the radiation imaging device 4 transmits an imaging standby request to the radiation detector 2 via the imaging communication unit 43. In step S <b> 13 b, the radiation detector control unit 21 in the radiation detector 2 receives the imaging standby request transmitted from the radiation imaging apparatus 4 via the imaging communication unit 24. The radiation detector control unit 21 places the imaging unit 22 in the imaging standby state, and transmits imaging standby information to the radiation imaging apparatus 4 via the imaging communication unit 24.

  In step S13c, the imaging device control unit 41 in the radiation imaging device 4 receives the imaging standby information transmitted from the radiation detector 2 via the imaging communication unit 43, and proceeds to imaging step S14.

  FIG. 8 is a detailed operation flowchart in step S14 of FIG. In step S <b> 14 a, the imaging device control unit 41 in the radiation imaging device 4 transmits an imaging start request to the radiation detector 2 and the radiation generation device 5 via the imaging communication unit 43 and the generation device communication unit 44.

  In step S <b> 14 b, the radiation detector control unit 21 in the radiation detector 2 receives the imaging start request transmitted from the radiation imaging apparatus 4 via the imaging communication unit 24. The radiation detector control unit 21 puts the imaging unit 22 into the imaging enabled state, and transmits imaging enabled information to the radiation imaging apparatus 4 via the imaging communication unit 24.

  In step S <b> 14 c, the generator control unit 51 in the radiation generator 5 receives the imaging start request transmitted from the radiation imaging apparatus 4 via the generator communication unit 52. The generator control unit 51 switches the X-ray tube 9 to a radiographable state, and transmits radiographable information to the radiation imaging apparatus 4 via the generator communication unit 52.

  In step S <b> 14 d, the imaging apparatus control unit 41 receives the imaging enabled information transmitted by the radiation detector 2 and the radiation generation apparatus 5 via the imaging communication unit 43 and the generation apparatus communication unit 44. Then, the imaging device control unit 41 displays on the display operation unit 6 that the radiation imaging system is in a radiation imaging enabled state.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 14 e, the radiographer confirms that the radiation imaging apparatus 4 has switched the radiation imaging system to the radiation imaging enabled state, and presses the exposure switch 7 to the radiation generation apparatus 5. In step S14f, the generator controller 51 detects the operation of the exposure switch 7 by the radiographer. The generator controller 51 emits radiation by the X-ray tube 9, and then the generator controller 51 The tube 9 is placed in a shooting standby state.

  In step S14g, the radiation detector control unit 21 detects the radiation emitted from the X-ray tube 9 by the imaging unit 22 and transmitted through the subject as the subject. The radiation detector control unit 21 acquires a radiographic image of the subject image from the imaging unit 22, transmits the radiographic image to the radiation imaging apparatus 4 via the imaging communication unit 24 by wireless communication, and puts the imaging unit 22 in an imaging standby state. To do.

  In step S <b> 14 h, the imaging apparatus control unit 41 receives the radiation image transmitted from the radiation detector 2 via the imaging communication unit 43 and displays the radiation image on the display operation unit 6. In step S <b> 14 i, the radiographer confirms the radiographic image captured by the display operation unit 6. With the completion of step S14 in FIG. 4, the radiation imaging is terminated by the radiation imaging system according to the first embodiment in step S15.

  Thus, in the radiation imaging system of the first embodiment, radiation imaging is performed by the radiation detector 2 attached to the imaging gantry 1. This prevents the radiographer from mistakenly taking the radiation detector and eliminates the need for the radiographer to mount the storage medium. For this reason, it is possible to improve the reliability of the operation control, the safety of the photographing engineer and the subject, and the like.

  FIG. 9 is a block circuit configuration diagram of the radiation imaging system according to the second embodiment. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the second embodiment, a detector identifier storage unit 26 is added to the radiation detector 2 shown in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, and an available detector management table 45 is added to the radiation imaging apparatus 4. .

  FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart for performing radiation imaging according to the second embodiment. Step S12 of the communication setting in the operation flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is changed to step S22.

  FIG. 11 is a detailed operation flowchart in step S22. In step S22, step S12a in step S12 is changed to step S22a for communication setting. Furthermore, a detector identifier transmission step, a setting information / detector identifier transmission step, a detector identifier determination step, and an unregistered radiation detector mounting display step are added.

  First, in step S <b> 22 a, the imaging gantry 1 transmits a communication setting to the radiation detector 2 using the setting communication device 11. In step S <b> 22 b, the radiation detector control unit 21 in the radiation detector 2 receives the setting information transmitted from the imaging stand 1 from the setting communication unit 23, and stores the detector identifier in the imaging stand 1 via the setting communication unit 23. The detector identifier stored in the unit 26 is transmitted.

  Subsequently, in step S22c, the radiation detector control unit 21 receives the setting information transmitted from the imaging gantry 1 via the setting communication unit 23, and the radiation detector control unit 21 performs the imaging communication based on the received setting information. The unit 24 is set in a wireless communication standby state.

  In step S <b> 22 d, the imaging gantry 1 receives the detector identifier transmitted by the radiation detector 2 via the setting communication device 11, and receives the detector identifier and the radiation detector 2 via the setting communication device 11. Send the sent setting information.

  In step S <b> 22 e, the imaging apparatus control unit 41 in the radiation imaging apparatus 4 receives the detector identifier and setting information transmitted from the imaging platform 1 via the setting communication unit 42. The imaging device control unit 41 collates the received detector identifier with the usable detector management table 45 and determines whether the detector is included in the usable detector identifier stored in the usable detector management table 45.

  If the usable detector identifier includes the received detector identifier, the process proceeds to step S22f. If the usable detector identifier does not include the received detector identifier, the process proceeds to step S22g. In step S22g, the imaging apparatus control unit 41 displays a warning on the display operation unit 6 indicating that the radiation engineer has placed the radiation detector 2 having a detector identifier other than the detector identifier that can be used on the imaging platform 1, Returning to step S11 of FIG.

  In step S22f, as in the first embodiment, the imaging device control unit 41 receives the setting information transmitted by the imaging platform 1, and transmits a wireless communication start display to the radiation detector 2 based on the received setting information. To do. In step S <b> 22 h, the radiation detector control unit 21 receives the wireless communication start display transmitted by the radiation imaging apparatus 4 via the setting communication unit 23. In step S22i, the imaging apparatus control unit 41 receives the wireless communication start information transmitted from the radiation detector 2, starts wireless communication, and proceeds to step S13.

  Thus, in the radiation imaging system of the second embodiment, the detector identifier of the radiation detector 2 arranged on the imaging gantry 1 by the imaging technician is included in the usable detector identifier stored in the radiation imaging apparatus 4. Judgment is made. For this reason, in addition to the effects obtained in the first embodiment, radiography is prohibited when the radiographer 2 has a radiation detector 2 having a detector identifier other than the usable detector identifier on the imaging base 1.

  FIG. 12 is a block circuit configuration diagram of the radiation imaging system according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, a photographing mount identifier storage unit 12 is added to the photographing stand 1 of FIG. 9 of the second embodiment, and a photographing management table 46 is provided instead of the usable detector management table 45 of the radiation photographing apparatus 4. ing.

  Further, a plurality of imaging stands 1a and 1b are used for one radiation imaging apparatus 4, and radiation detectors 2a and 2b are attached to the radiation detector mounting portion 3 of each imaging stand 1a and 1b. The radiation detectors 2a and 2b can be mounted in combination with any of the imaging stands 1a and 1b. The imaging bases 1a and 1b are each provided with an imaging base identifier storage unit 12, and their outputs are connected to the setting communication device 11, respectively.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of performing radiation imaging by the radiation imaging system according to the third embodiment. Step S22 of communication setting in the operation flowchart of FIG. 10 of the second embodiment is changed to step S32.

  FIG. 14 is a detailed operation flowchart in step S32. Steps S32a to S32c are the same steps as steps S22a to S22c of the second embodiment. In the third embodiment, step S32d is provided instead of step S22d in the second embodiment, and the setting information / detector identifier / imaging frame identifier is transmitted. Further, in the third embodiment, the step S22e for determining the detector identifier and the mounting display step S22g for the undetected radiation detector in the second embodiment are deleted.

  In step S <b> 32 d, the imaging gantry 1 receives the detector identifier transmitted from the radiation detector 2 via the setting communication device 11. Subsequently, the imaging gantry 1 transmits the setting identifier transmitted to the radiation imaging apparatus 4 and the setting information transmitted to the radiation detector 2 to the setting communication device 11. At the same time, the imaging platform 1 transmits the imaging platform identifier stored in the imaging platform identifier storage unit 12 to the radiation imaging apparatus 4 to the setting communication device 11.

  In step S <b> 32 e, the imaging apparatus control unit 41 in the radiation imaging apparatus 4 receives the setting information, detector identifier, and imaging platform identifier transmitted from the imaging platform 1 via the setting communication unit 42. The imaging device control unit 41 updates the detector identifier and setting information of the table row in which the imaging platform identifier stored in the imaging management table 46 matches the received imaging platform identifier to the received detector identifier and communication settings, respectively.

  The imaging device control unit 41 determines whether or not it is stored other than the received imaging platform identifier based on the detector identifier stored in the imaging management table 46 and the setting information. If it is determined that the detector identifier stored in the imaging management table 46 is stored other than the received imaging platform identifier based on the setting information, the imaging device control unit 41 sets the table row determined by the imaging management table 46. Delete the detector identifier and setting information.

  FIGS. 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams of the imaging management table 46 that stores the communication setting states when the imaging engineer mounts the radiation detectors 2a and 2b on the imaging platforms 1a and 1b. For example, FIG. 15B shows a state in which the radiation detector 2a attached to the imaging stand 1a by the imaging technician is attached to the imaging stand 1b from the state of FIG. 15A.

  In step S32f, the imaging device control unit 41 displays the imaging platform identifier storing the setting information of the detector identifier among the imaging platform identifiers stored in the imaging management table 46 on the display operation unit 6.

  In step S <b> 32 g, the imaging engineer selects an imaging gantry identifier on which radiation imaging is performed by the radiation imaging apparatus 4. In step S <b> 32 h, the photographing apparatus control unit 41 detects the photographing stand identifier selected by the photographing engineer using the display operation unit 6. The imaging device control unit 41 transmits a wireless communication start request to the radiation detector 2 that starts imaging to the imaging communication unit 43 based on the detected imaging platform identifier and the imaging management table 46.

  In step S <b> 32 i, the radiation detector control unit 21 in the radiation detector 2 receives the wireless communication start display transmitted from the radiation imaging apparatus 4 via the setting communication unit 23. In step S32j, the imaging apparatus control unit 41 receives the wireless communication start information transmitted from the radiation detector 2, starts the wireless communication, and proceeds to step S13.

  As described above, in the radiation imaging system according to the third embodiment, a system configuration having a plurality of imaging platforms 1 and radiation detectors 2 for one radiation imaging apparatus 4 can be managed from the imaging management table 46. For this reason, in addition to the effects obtained in the first embodiment, a system including a plurality of radiation detectors 2a, 2b,..., A plurality of imaging stands 1a, 1b,. Configuration can be realized.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1b Imaging stand 2, 2a, 2b Radiation detector 3 Radiation detector mounting part 4 Radiography apparatus 5 Radiation generator 6 Display operation part 7 Exposure switch 9 X-ray tube 11 Setting communication machine 12 Imaging stand identifier Storage unit 23, 42 Setting communication unit 26 Detector identifier storage unit 41 Imaging device control unit 45 Usable detector management table 46 Imaging management table

Claims (9)

A radiation detector that captures a radiation image of a subject based on radiation transmitted through the subject, an imaging gantry on which the radiation detector is mounted, a control device that controls the radiation detector, and the imaging gantry provided on the imaging gantry A communication unit communicating with the radiation detector;
In response to detecting the attachment of the radiation detector to the imaging gantry, the communication unit transmits information for wireless communication with the control device by the radiation detector to the radiation detector, And control means for storing identification information of the radiation detector received from the radiation detector in a storage unit;
A radiation imaging system comprising: It has a plurality of imaging stands on which radiation detectors are mounted,
The control device further includes a storage unit that stores management information for storing a detector identifier determined for each radiation detector, an imaging platform identifier determined for each imaging platform, and information for wireless communication. The radiation imaging system according to claim 1.   The radiation imaging system according to claim 1, further comprising a radiation generation unit.   The said communication part starts the setting of the radio | wireless communication by a 2nd radio | wireless communication system by transmitting information to the said radiation detector by the radio | wireless communication by a 1st radio | wireless communication system. The radiation imaging system of any one of thru | or 3.   The radiation imaging system according to claim 4, wherein the first wireless communication system is an infrared communication system.   The radiation imaging system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the second wireless communication system is an Ultra Wide Band communication system. The radiation imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit starts communication in which at least a part of a communication path between the radiation detector and the control device is wireless. . A radiation detector that captures a radiation image of a subject based on radiation transmitted through the subject, an imaging gantry on which the radiation detector is mounted, a control device that controls the radiation detector, and the imaging gantry provided on the imaging gantry A communication unit that communicates with a radiation detector;
Detecting the attachment of the radiation detector to the imaging stand;
In response to the detection, the communication unit transmits information for wireless communication of the radiation detector to the radiation detector and is received from the radiation detector. Storing in the storage unit;
A control method characterized by comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 8.

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