JP6945676B2 - Radiation imaging equipment and radiation imaging system - Google Patents

Description

The disclosed technique relates to a radiographic imaging apparatus and a radiographic imaging system.

In recent years, a radiation detection panel such as an FPD (Flat Panel Detector) capable of directly converting radiation into digital data by arranging a radiation sensitive layer on a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) active matrix substrate has been put into practical use. Further, a radiation imaging device such as an electronic cassette that generates a radiation image represented by the irradiated radiation using a radiation detection panel has been put into practical use. As a method of converting radiation into an electric signal, there are an indirect conversion method in which radiation is converted into light by a scintillator and then converted into an electric charge by a photodiode, and a direct conversion method in which radiation is converted into an electric charge by a semiconductor layer containing amorphous selenium or the like. be. In each method, there are various materials that can be used for the semiconductor layer of the radiation detection panel.

It is known that a radiation imaging apparatus has a long shape in which a plurality of radiation detection panels are arranged in a row along the imaging surface in order to enable imaging over a relatively wide range such as chest X-ray imaging. There is. For example, in Patent Document 1, a plurality of sensor units provided with an X-ray detecting means (CsI) on a photographing surface of an image detecting means (CCD: Charge Coupling Device) are arranged in an overlapping manner so that a part of the photographed image overlaps. Described is an X-ray imaging apparatus in which the external shape of the X-ray detecting means does not exceed the effective imaging range of each image detecting means and is within the overlapping range in the X-ray image sensor whose imaging range is expanded. Has been done.

Further, there is known a system in which a radiographic image capturing apparatus having an FPD and a console are communicably connected. For example, Patent Documents 2 and 3 describe a medical imaging system including an FPD cassette and a console.

The FPD cassette described in Patent Documents 2 and 3 is a radiation detecting means in which a plurality of elements for converting radiation transmitted through a subject into an electric signal are two-dimensionally arranged, and an electric signal acquired by the radiation detecting means. A reading means for reading and generating image data of a subject, a divided image data generating means for dividing the image data generated by the reading means into divided image data, a transmission management means for setting a transmission order of the divided image data, and transmission. It has a detector communication means for transmitting divided image data to the outside in order. The consoles described in Patent Documents 2 and 3 include a display means having a two-dimensional display area, a console communication means for acquiring divided image data from an FPD cassette, and a display control means for controlling the display means. Have.

In Patent Document 2, the detector communication means transmits the division setting and the transmission order as incidental data together with the divided image data, and the display control means sets the display area of the display means based on the division setting in the incidental data. It is described that the divided image data is divided into a plurality of divided display areas, and the divided image data acquired by the console communication means is assigned to each divided display area based on the transmission order in the incidental data and displayed by the display means. ..

In Patent Document 3, the display control means divides the display area of the display means into a plurality of divided display areas based on the imaging site information, and divides the divided image data acquired by the console communication means according to a predetermined allocation order. It is described that it is assigned to each divided display area and displayed in each divided display area.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-292546 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-22752 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-17296

As described in Patent Document 1, by connecting a plurality of radiation detection panels to form a long radiation imaging apparatus, it is possible to perform imaging over a relatively wide range. However, there may be a case where it is desired to take a radiographic image using only a part of the radiological detection panels constituting the long radiographic image capturing apparatus. In such a case, if all of the images generated by each of the plurality of radiation detection panels are transmitted to an external device having a display unit such as a console, it takes a long time for the images to be displayed on the display unit of the external device. And the workflow is slowed down.

Therefore, it is conceivable to transmit only the image generated by the radiation detection panel (hereinafter referred to as the panel used) used for photographing to an external device such as a console. As a result, the number of images transmitted from the radiation imaging device to an external device such as a console can be reduced, so that the waiting time until the image is displayed can be shortened. However, it is assumed that the subject may be reflected on the radiation detection panel other than the panel used, or the panel used may not be properly specified. In such a case, if the image is not taken by a radiation detection panel other than the used panel, or if the image generated by the radiation detection panel other than the used panel is not saved, the image is re-started. Shooting may be required.

The disclosed technique was made in view of the above points, and among a plurality of radiation detection panels juxtaposed in a direction intersecting the incident direction of radiation, an image generated by some of the radiation detection panels is externally displayed. It is an object of the present invention to shorten the waiting time until the image is displayed on the external device while avoiding the risk of re-shooting when displaying the image on the display unit of the device.

The radiographic imaging apparatus according to the disclosed technique detects a plurality of radiations that are transmitted through a subject and incident, generate image data of a radiographic image, and detect a plurality of radiations juxtaposed in a direction intersecting the incident direction of the radiations. For the image data of the panel and the plurality of radiation images generated by each of the plurality of radiation detection panels, a designation unit for designating the image data of the display target image and the image data of the non-display target image, and the image data of the display target image. A storage unit that stores the image data of the non-display target image in association with the specified result in the designated unit, and a transmission unit that transmits at least the image data of the display target image among the plurality of radiation images to the outside of the radiation image capturing device. And, including.

The designation unit specifies the image to be displayed based on the detection signals from each of the sensors that are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels and output the detection signal of the magnitude corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation. You may. Further, the designation unit may specify the display target image based on the attribute information indicating the attribute of the subject. Further, the designation unit may specify the display target image based on the information for designating the display target image supplied from the outside of the radiation image capturing apparatus.
An external device provided outside the radiation imaging device is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels, and is provided from each of the sensors that output a detection signal having a magnitude corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation. The presence or absence of a subject on each radiation detection panel may be determined based on the detection signal. In this case, the designation unit may specify the display target image based on the determination result of the presence / absence of the subject by the external device.

When a plurality of images are designated as display target images, the transmission unit derives the transmission order of the image data of the plurality of display target images, and photographs the image data of the plurality of display target images according to the derived transmission order. It may be sequentially transmitted to the outside of the device. Further, the transmission unit is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels, and a plurality of displays are displayed based on the detection signals from each of the sensors that output the detection signals having a magnitude corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation. The transmission order of the image data of the target image may be derived. Further, the transmission unit may derive the transmission order of the image data of the plurality of display target images based on the attribute information indicating the attributes of the subject. Further, when a plurality of images are designated as display target images, the transmission unit is indicated by information that specifies a transmission order of image data of each of the plurality of display target images supplied from the outside of the radiographic image capturing apparatus. The image data of a plurality of display target images may be sequentially transmitted to the outside of the radiation image capturing apparatus according to the transmission order.

When a plurality of images are designated as display target images, an external device provided outside the radiation imaging device is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels and depends on the dose of the irradiated radiation. The transmission order of the image data of a plurality of display target images may be derived based on the detection signals from each of the sensors that output the detection signals of the same magnitude. In this case, the transmission unit may sequentially transmit the image data of a plurality of display target images to the outside of the radiation imaging device according to the transmission order derived by the external device.
Each of the plurality of radiation detection panels may be arranged so that the adjacent radiation detection panels and the edges of the imaging region capable of generating a radiation image overlap each other. In this case, even if the transmitting unit transmits the image data of the image portion of the non-display target image included in the predetermined range starting from the end on the side adjacent to the display target image to the outside of the radiation imaging apparatus. good.
The radiation imaging system according to the disclosed technique displays the above-mentioned radiation image capturing device and a display target image indicated by image data received from the radiation imaging device on the display unit, and stores the storage unit when a display request is made. a control device having a display control unit for displaying on the display unit the display of non-target image radiographic image Ru indicated by the stored image data with display target image containing.

When the image data of a plurality of display target images is transmitted from the radiation image capturing apparatus, the display control unit may display the plurality of display target images on the display unit in the order in which they are received.
After the control device receives the image data of the display target image, the image data of the display target image may be deleted from the storage unit. Further, the image data stored in the storage unit may be erased based on the instruction from the control device.

According to the disclosed technology, when displaying an image generated by some of the radiation detection panels among a plurality of radiation detection panels juxtaposed in a direction intersecting the incident direction of radiation on the display unit of an external device, It is possible to shorten the waiting time until the image is displayed on the external device while avoiding the risk of re-shooting.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the radiation imaging system 100 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the radiation imaging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the electrical structure of the radiation detection panel which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the arrangement on the radiation detection panel of the irradiation detection pixel which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the radiation imaging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the photographing unit control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the console which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the radiation irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the shooting preparation process which is carried out by executing the shooting preparation program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the imaging control processing which is carried out by executing the imaging control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the display target image designation processing which is carried out by executing the display target image designation program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing which is carried out by executing the transmission control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the display control processing which is carried out by executing the display control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the radiation image generated by the radiation imaging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process of the whole radiation imaging system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing which is carried out by executing the transmission control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the display control processing which is carried out by executing the display control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing which is carried out by executing the transmission control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the transmission control processing which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing which is carried out by executing the transmission control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the transmission control processing which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the luminance distribution of the radiation image which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing which is carried out by executing the transmission control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the transmission control processing which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the display control processing which is carried out by executing the display control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the radiation detection panel 20 and the signal processing part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transmission control processing which is carried out by executing the transmission control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the transmission control processing which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the display control processing which is carried out by executing the display control program which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a radiation imaging system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The radiation imaging system 100 includes a radiation imaging device 10, a console 70, and a radiation irradiation device 90. The radiation imaging device 10 is an example of the radiation imaging device in the present invention, and the console 70 is an example of the control device in the present invention.

The radiation irradiation device 90 has a function of irradiating the subject O with X-rays according to the X-ray irradiation conditions (tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time) notified from the console 70. The radiographic image capturing apparatus 10 has a function of generating a radiographic image according to the dose distribution of X-rays that have passed through the subject O and reached the imaging surface 10S, and transmitting the generated radiographic image to the console 70. The console 70 has a function of comprehensively controlling the radiation irradiation device 90 and the radiation image capturing device 10 and displaying a radiation image transmitted from the radiation imaging device 10. The console 70 and the radiation imaging device 10 and the console 70 and the radiation irradiation device 90 transmit and receive image data, control signals, and the like via communication cables 110 and 111, respectively. The communication between the console 70 and the radiation imaging device 10 and between the console 70 and the radiation irradiation device 90 may be configured to be performed wirelessly. In this case, the communication cables 110 and 111 are unnecessary. It becomes.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the radiation imaging apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the radiographic imaging apparatus 10 includes a housing 12 and three photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C housed inside the housing 12. The photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C have the same configuration as each other, and include the radiation detection panels 20A, 20B, and 20C, which are formed by stacking the TFT substrate 21, the photoelectric conversion layer 22, and the scintillator 23, respectively. There is. In FIG. 2, the components other than the radiation detection panels 20A, 20B and 20C (gate line drive unit 41, signal processing unit 42, imaging unit control unit 50, etc. shown in FIG. 5) are not shown. doing. The radiation detection panels 20A, 20B and 20C are examples of the radiation detection panels in the present invention. In the following, when the photographing units 11A, 11B and 11C are not distinguished or are collectively referred to, they are referred to as the photographing unit 11. Further, when the radiation detection panels 20A, 20B and 20C are not distinguished or are collectively referred to, they are referred to as the radiation detection panel 20.

The scintillator 23 includes a phosphor that absorbs radiation and emits visible light. When X-rays are used as radiation, the phosphor used in the scintillator 23 is preferably one containing cesium iodide (CsI), and CsI (Tl) (thallium is added) whose emission spectrum at the time of X-ray irradiation is 400 nm to 700 nm. It is particularly preferable to use the above-mentioned cesium iodide).

The photoelectric conversion layer 22 is provided between the scintillator 23 and the TFT substrate 21, and is made of an organic photoelectric conversion material that generates an electric charge by absorbing the light emitted by the scintillator 23. The photoelectric conversion layer 22 containing the organic photoelectric conversion material has a sharp absorption spectrum in the visible region, and electromagnetic waves other than visible light emitted from the scintillator 23 are hardly absorbed by the photoelectric conversion layer 22. Therefore, noise generated by absorption of radiation such as X-rays by the photoelectric conversion layer 22 can be effectively suppressed. It is preferable that the organic photoelectric conversion material constituting the photoelectric conversion layer 22 has an absorption peak wavelength closer to the emission peak wavelength of the scintillator 23. Examples of the organic photoelectric conversion material capable of satisfying such conditions include quinacridone-based organic compounds and phthalocyanine-based organic compounds. Although not shown, an electrode is provided so as to sandwich the photoelectric conversion layer 22 in between, and a bias voltage is applied to the photoelectric conversion layer 22 via this electrode at the time of photographing. Further, the electrodes on the TFT substrate 21 side are divided in a matrix shape corresponding to a plurality of pixels.

The TFT substrate 21 includes a glass substrate provided with a switching element (TFT34 shown in FIG. 3) for reading out the electric charge generated in the photoelectric conversion layer 22.

The radiation detection panel 20A, the 20B and 20C, the peripheral edge portion of the TFT substrate 21, dead zone _R AX where the photoelectric conversion layer 22 and the scintillator 23 is not _laminated, which is an _{R BX} and _{R CX,} dead region _{R AX} The inside (center side of the radiation detection panel 20) adjacent to the R _BX and the R _{CX is the imaging regions RA} , R _B , and _RC in which the photoelectric conversion layer 22 and the scintillator 23 are laminated. Imaging region _{R A, R B,} in _{R C,} it is possible to generate a radiation image.

In the radiation imaging apparatus 10, the radiation detection panels 20A, 20B, and 20C are juxtaposed in a direction intersecting the incident direction of X-rays. More specifically, the one end portion of the imaging region R _A in the radiation detection panel 20A, and one end of the imaging region R _B in the radiation detection panel 20B is overlapped with each other in the irradiation direction of the X-ray photographing region one end of the shooting at the other end and the radiation detection panel 20C of R _B region R _C are stacked with each other in the irradiation direction of the X-ray. Further, the radiation detection panel 20B arranged at the center is arranged on the downstream side in the X-ray irradiation direction with respect to the radiation detection panels 20A and 20C at both ends. In this way, in the radiation imaging apparatus 10, a long imaging region is formed by connecting the three radiation detection panels 20A, 20B, and 20C. In the radiation detection panels adjacent to each other, the continuity of the imaging region can be ensured by overlapping the edges of the imaging region. That is, even if the relative positions of the radiation detection panels 20A, 20B and 20C fluctuate due to manufacturing variations, impacts, vibrations, ambient temperature fluctuations, etc., the discontinuous portion of the imaging region (that is, the missing portion of the image) at the joint of the radiation detection panels. Can be prevented from occurring. Further, even when X-rays are incident on the photographing surface 10S from an oblique direction, it is possible to prevent a discontinuous portion of the imaging region from occurring.

The radiation imaging apparatus 10 employs a so-called surface reading method (ISS: Irradiation Side Sampling) in which the photoelectric conversion layer 22 is arranged on the incident side of X-rays. By adopting the front surface reading method, the strong emission position and photoelectric conversion in the scintillator 23 are compared with the case where the scintillator 23 is arranged on the incident side of the X-ray, that is, the so-called back surface reading method (PSS: Pentration Side Sampling) is adopted. The distance to the layer 22 can be shortened, and as a result, the resolution of the radiographic image can be increased. The radiation image capturing apparatus 10 may employ a back surface reading method, or may include each of them.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the radiation detection panel 20. The radiation detection panel 20 has not only a function of generating a radiation image but also an irradiation detection function of detecting the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation. In order to realize the above-mentioned irradiation detection function, the radiation detection panel 20 has a plurality of irradiation detection pixels 31 for detecting the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation in addition to a plurality of imaging pixels 31 for capturing a radiation image. It has 32.

Each of the imaging pixels 31 includes a sensor 310 for radiographic image imaging including a photoelectric conversion layer 22, and a TFT 34 as a switching element that is turned on when the charge generated by the sensor 310 is read out. I'm out. The photographing pixels 31 are arranged two-dimensionally in rows and columns on the entire surface of the TFT substrate 21.

The radiation detection panel 20 is extended in a fixed direction (row direction) along the arrangement of the imaging pixels 31, and has a plurality of gate lines 35 for supplying a gate signal for turning each TFT 34 on and off to each TFT 34. .. Further, the radiation detection panel 20 extends in a direction (row direction) intersecting the extension direction of the gate line 35, and includes a plurality of signal lines 36 for reading out the electric charge generated by the sensor 310 via the TFT 34 in the on state. , Are provided. Each of the photographing pixels 31 is provided corresponding to each intersection of the gate line 35 and the signal line 36.

The irradiation detection pixel 32 is composed of an irradiation detection sensor 320 including a photoelectric conversion layer 22. The irradiation detection sensor 320 is directly connected to the signal line 36, and the electric charge generated by the sensor 320 flows through the signal line 36 as it is. The irradiation detection sensors 320 are dispersedly arranged over the entire area on the TFT substrate 21. In the present embodiment, the number of sensors 320 for irradiation detection is smaller than the number of sensors 310 for radiographic imaging. That is, the irradiation detection pixels 32 are formed on the TFT substrate 21 at a lower density than the imaging pixels 31. A bias voltage is supplied to the sensor 310 for radiographic imaging and the sensor 320 for irradiation detection via a bias line (not shown), and both output a detection signal having a magnitude corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation. The size of the sensor 310 for radiographic imaging and the sensor 320 for irradiation detection may be the same or different from each other. In the present embodiment, the irradiation detection pixel 32 is used as a means for detecting the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, other means exemplified below. It is also possible to use.

(1) A pixel arbitrarily selected from the imaging pixels 31 may function exclusively as a pixel for detecting the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation (irradiation detection pixel). In this case, the source and drain of the TFT 34 of the photographing pixel 31 that functions as the irradiation detection pixel may be short-circuited (short pixel method).

(2) A bias current detecting means for detecting a bias current flowing through each of the sensors 310 when a bias voltage is applied to each of the sensors 310 for radioimaging is provided, and the magnitude of the bias current detected by the bias current detecting means is large. Based on this, the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation may be detected.

(3) An additional TFT may be provided in the pixel selected from the imaging pixels 31, and the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation may be detected based on the leakage current of the additionally provided TFT.

(4) The magnitude of the current flowing through each gate wire 35 from the gate wire drive unit 41 may be detected, and the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation may be detected based on the magnitude of the detected current.

(5) The sensor for detecting the presence or absence of irradiation of radiation may be provided in a layer different from the layer in which the imaging pixel 31 is provided in the radiation detection panel 20. Further, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of radiation irradiation may be provided separately from the radiation detection panel 20.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the arrangement of the irradiation detection pixels 32 on the radiation detection panel 20. Irradiation detection pixels 32 are connected to each of the signal lines 36, and the irradiation detection pixels 32 are arranged so as to be uniformly dispersed in the radiation detection panel 20. FIG. 4 shows a case where one irradiation detection pixel 32 is connected to one signal line 36, but a plurality of irradiation detection pixels 32 adjacent to each other in the extension direction of the signal line 36 are one. It may be connected to the signal line 36. In this case, the charges generated by the plurality of irradiation detection pixels 32 connected to the same signal line 36 are added by merging on the signal line 36. In the present embodiment, the irradiation detection pixel 32 is provided on the TFT substrate 21 together with the photographing pixel 31, but the irradiation detection pixel 32 may be provided on a layer different from the photographing pixel 31. ..

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the entire radiographic imaging apparatus 10 including three imaging units 11A, 11B and 11C. The photographing unit 11A includes a gate line driving unit 41 arranged along one of two adjacent sides of the radiation detection panel 20A, and a signal processing unit 42 arranged along the other side. Each of the gate lines 35 is connected to the gate line drive unit 41, and each of the signal lines 36 is connected to the signal processing unit 42. Further, the photographing unit 11A includes an image memory 43, a communication unit 44, a power supply unit 45, and a photographing unit control unit 50. Since the photographing units 11B and 11C have the same configuration as the photographing unit 11A, overlapping description of the photographing units 11B and 11C will be omitted.

In the radiation detection panels 20A, 20B and 20C, the TFT 34 constituting the imaging pixel 31 is turned on in line units by the gate signal supplied from the gate line drive unit 41 via the gate line 35 (FIG. 3, FIG. (See FIG. 5). When the TFT 34 is turned on, the electric charge generated by the sensor 310 for photographing is read out to each signal line 36 as an electric signal and transmitted to the signal processing unit 42 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). On the other hand, the electric charge generated by the irradiation detection sensor 320 constituting the irradiation detection pixel 32 flows out to the signal line 36 regardless of the gate signal from the gate line drive unit 41 and is transmitted to the signal processing unit 42 (FIG. FIG. 3. See FIG. 5).

The signal processing unit 42 includes an amplifier and a sample hold circuit (not shown) provided for each signal line 36. The charge signals transmitted to the individual signal lines 36 are amplified by the amplifier in the signal processing unit 42 and then held by the sample hold circuit. Further, a multiplexer and an A / D (analog / digital) converter (not shown) are connected in order to the output side of the sample hold circuit. The charge signals held by the individual sample hold circuits are sequentially input to the multiplexer, converted into digital signals by the A / D converter, and supplied to the photographing unit control unit 50. The photographing unit control unit 50 generates data as image data in which the digital signal generated by the A / D converter and the position information of the photographing pixel 31 are associated with each other.

An image memory 43 is connected to the photographing unit control unit 50, and the image data generated by the photographing unit control unit 50 is stored in the image memory 43. The image memory 43 has a storage capacity capable of storing image data for a plurality of frames, and each time a radiographic image is taken, the image data obtained by the taking is sequentially stored in the image memory 43. The image memory 43 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is an example of a storage medium in the present invention. Further, in the present embodiment, the image memory 43 is built in the photographing unit 11, but the image memory 43 may be detachable from the photographing unit 11.

The communication unit 44 controls the communication performed between the other photographing unit 11 and the console 70, which are external devices. The photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other by the communication wiring 46 connected to the communication unit 44. As a result, various information is shared in the photographing units 11A, 11B and 11C. Further, it is possible to synchronize the operations between the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C. Further, the communication units 44 of the photographing units 11A, 11B and 11C are connected to the communication terminal 47 via the communication wiring 46, respectively. One end of the communication cable 110 is connected to the communication terminal 47, and the other end of the communication cable 110 is connected to the console 70. The photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C transmit and receive image data, control signals, and the like to and from the console 70 via the communication cable 110.

The power supply unit 45 supplies electric power to each component of the photographing unit 11 (radiation detection panel 20, photographing unit control unit 50, gate line driving unit 41, signal processing unit 42, image memory 43, and communication unit 44). In FIG. 5, the power supply wiring for connecting the power supply unit 45 and various circuits is not shown. Further, in the present embodiment, each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C is configured to include a power supply unit 45, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the radiation imaging apparatus 10 is provided with at least one power supply unit. It suffices if it is done.

The photographing unit control unit 50 is connected to a gate line driving unit 41, a signal processing unit 42, an image memory 43, and a communication unit 44, and includes a microcomputer that controls these operations in an integrated manner. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the photographing unit control unit 50. The photographing unit control unit 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 52, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 53, and a bus 54 that connects them to each other. The ROM 53 stores a shooting control program 55, a display target image designation program 56, and a transmission control program 57, which will be described later.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the console 70 constituting the radiation imaging system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The console 70 is configured as a computer. The console 70 includes a display unit 71 that displays an operation menu, a captured radiographic image, and the like, and an operation input unit 72 that includes a plurality of keys and can input various information and operation instructions. The operation input unit 72 may have the form of a keyboard as an example, or may have the form of a touch panel integrated with the display unit 71. Further, the operation input unit 72 may include a camera and may have a form of inputting an operation instruction by causing the camera to recognize the gesture of the operator. Further, the console 70 includes a CPU 73, a RAM 74, an HDD (Hard disk drive) 75, and a ROM 76. Further, the console 70 includes a display drive unit 77 that controls the display of various information on the display unit 71, and an operation input detection unit 78 that detects an operation input to the operation input unit 72. Further, the console 70 includes a communication unit 79 that controls communication between the radiation imaging device 10 and the radiation irradiation device 90. The communication unit 79 is connected to the radiation imaging device 10 via the communication terminal 80 and the communication cable 110, and is connected to the radiation irradiation device 90 via the communication terminal 80 and the communication cable 111. The CPU 73, RAM 74, ROM 76, HDD 75, display drive unit 77, operation input detection unit 78, and communication unit 79 are connected to each other via a bus 81. The ROM 76 stores a shooting preparation program 82 and a display control program 83, which will be described later.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a radiation irradiation device 90 constituting the radiation imaging system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The radiation irradiation device 90 received from the communication unit 92 that controls communication between the radiation source 91 that generates X-rays and the console 70 that is performed via the communication cable 111, and from the console 70 via the communication cable 111. It includes a radiation source control unit 93 that controls the radiation source 91 based on X-ray irradiation conditions. The communication unit 92 is connected to the console 70 via the communication terminal 94 and the communication cable 111. The radiation source control unit 93 includes a microcomputer and stores X-ray irradiation conditions and the like transmitted from the console 70. The X-ray irradiation conditions transmitted from the console 70 include information such as tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time. The radiation irradiation device 90 includes an operation input unit for the user to manually set X-ray irradiation conditions such as tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time directly to the radiation irradiation device 90, and set X-rays. A display unit for displaying irradiation conditions and the like may be provided. Further, the radiation irradiation device 90 transmits information indicating the manual setting, the set value by the manual setting, and the current status (standby state, ready state, during exposure, end of exposure) to the console 70.

(Shooting preparation process)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the shooting preparation process executed by the CPU 73 of the console 70 executing the shooting preparation program 82 stored in the ROM 76. The shooting preparation program 82 is started, for example, when the user instructs the start of shooting preparation via the operation input unit 72.

In step S11, the CPU 73 controls the display drive unit 77 so that the subject information input screen is displayed on the display unit 71. On the subject information input screen, a message prompting the patient to input the gender, age, height, weight, body thickness, imaging target part, posture at the time of imaging, X-ray irradiation conditions, etc., and an input area for these information are displayed. Is displayed. In step S12, the CPU 73 waits for input of subject information. When the subject information is input via the operation input unit 72, an affirmative determination is made in step S12, and the process proceeds to the next step S13.

In step S13, the CPU 73 transmits the input subject information to the radiographic image capturing device 10 via the communication unit 79. In step S14, the CPU 73 transmits the X-ray irradiation conditions input in step S12 to the radiation irradiation device 90 via the communication unit 79. The radiation source control unit 93 of the radiation irradiation device 90 prepares for X-ray irradiation so as to perform X-ray irradiation under the X-ray irradiation conditions received via the communication unit 92.

After that, when an operation switch (not shown) for executing X-ray irradiation is operated, the radiation source 91 of the radiation irradiation device 90 has a tube voltage and a tube according to the X-ray irradiation conditions received from the console 70. X-rays are emitted with current and irradiation time. The X-rays emitted from the radiation irradiation device 90 pass through the subject O and are irradiated to the radiation image capturing device 10.

(Shooting control processing)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of shooting control processing executed by executing the shooting control program 55 stored in the ROM 53 by the CPU 51 constituting the shooting unit control unit 50 of each of the shooting units 11A, 11B, and 11C. be. The shooting control program 55 is started, for example, by receiving a control signal instructing the start of X-ray irradiation transmitted from the console 70 in step S15 of the shooting preparation process.

In step S21, the CPU 51 constituting the imaging unit control unit 50 of each imaging unit 11 (imaging units 11A, 11B and 11C) determines whether or not the X-rays emitted from the irradiation apparatus 90 have been detected. That is, when the X-ray dose indicated by the amount of electric charge generated by the irradiation detection pixel 32 provided on the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 reaches a predetermined threshold value. It is determined that X-rays have been detected.

Here, when a radiation image is photographed using a part of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C, usually, only a part of the photographing units 11 used for the photographing is irradiated with X-rays, and the image is taken. The unused photographing unit 11 is not irradiated with X-rays. Therefore, when a radiation image is captured using a part of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C, only the imaging unit 11 used for imaging detects X-rays. If the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines that X-rays have been detected in step S21, the process proceeds to step S22, and if X-rays are not detected, the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S22, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 that has detected the X-ray transmits an X-ray detection signal indicating that the X-ray has been detected to the other photographing unit 11 via the communication unit 44 and the communication wiring 46. , The process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, the photographing unit 11 that does not detect X-rays waits for the reception of the X-ray detection signal from another photographing unit in step S23. When the photographing unit 11 that does not detect X-rays receives the X-ray detection signal from the other photographing unit 11, the process proceeds to step S24, and when the photographing unit 11 does not receive the X-ray detection signal from the other photographing unit 11, the process is performed. Return to step S21.

When X-rays are detected in some of the photographing units 11 by the above steps S21 to S23, the detection information indicating that the X-rays are detected in some of the photographing units 11 detects the X-rays. It will be shared with other shooting units 11 that do not.

In step S24, the CPU 51 of each shooting unit 11 shifts to the shooting operation. That is, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 supplies a control signal to the gate line driving unit 41 corresponding to itself to drive all the TFTs 34 of the photographing pixels 31 in the off state. As a result, the electric charge generated by the sensor 310 of each photographing pixel 31 due to the irradiation of X-rays is accumulated in the sensor 310. In this step S24, the charge accumulation process is performed in all the photographing units 11 including the photographing unit 11 that does not detect X-rays (not used for photographing) in step S21. On the other hand, the electric charge generated by the sensor 320 of the irradiation detection pixel 32 due to the irradiation of X-rays is supplied to the signal processing unit 42 via the signal line 36 without being accumulated.

In step S25, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines whether or not a predetermined accumulation time has elapsed since the start of charge accumulation in step S24. When the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines that the predetermined accumulation time has elapsed, the process shifts to step S26.

In step S26, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 supplies a control signal to the gate line driving unit 41 to read out the charge accumulated in the sensor 310 of the photographing pixel 31 of each radiation detection panel 20. The gate line drive unit 41 of each photographing unit 11 that has received the above control signal from the CPU 51 sequentially outputs an on signal to each gate line 35, and turns on the TFTs 34 connected to each gate line 35 one by one. As a result, the electric charge accumulated in the sensor 310 of each photographing pixel 31 is read out to each signal line 36 as an electric signal and transmitted to the signal processing unit 42. The signal processing unit 42 of each photographing unit 11 is a digital signal indicating each pixel value of the photographing pixel 31 based on the electric signal supplied via each signal line 36 (pixel value of each photographing pixel 31). Is generated, and the generated digital signal is supplied to the CPU 51. In this step S26, charge reading processing is performed in all the photographing units 11 including the photographing unit 11 that does not detect X-rays (not used for photographing) in step S21.

In step S27, the CPU 51 of each shooting unit 11 obtains image data in which the digital signal (pixel value of each shooting pixel 31) supplied from the signal processing unit 42 and the position information of the shooting pixel 31 are associated with each other. Generate as. In this step S27, image data generation processing is performed in all the photographing units 11 including the photographing unit 11 that does not detect X-rays (not used for photographing) in step S21.

In step S28, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 stores the generated image data in the image memory 43 corresponding to itself, and ends this routine. In this step S28, image data storage processing is performed in all the photographing units 11 including the photographing unit 11 that does not detect X-rays (not used for photographing) in step S21.

As described above, in the radiation image capturing apparatus 10, even when imaging is performed using some of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C, all the imaging units perform charge accumulation processing at the same timing. , Charge readout processing, image data generation processing, and image data storage processing. That is, when the start of radiation irradiation is detected in any of the imaging units 11 for one irradiation of X-rays, each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C detects the X-rays by itself. Even if it is not, a radiation image is generated and the image data is stored in the image memory 43. For example, when a radiographic image is captured using only the imaging unit 11B, processing for generating a radiographic image is also performed in the imaging units 11A and 11C, and the generated radiographic image is an image of each imaging unit 11. It is stored in the memory 43.

(Display target image specification processing)
The radiation image capturing device 10 is an image to be displayed on the display unit 71 of the console 70 among the radiation images generated in each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C by the above imaging control process (hereinafter, referred to as a display target image). To specify. For example, the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 designates an image presumed to include a subject image among the radiation images generated by the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C as a display target image. For example, when the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 estimates that the subject image is included only in the image generated by the photographing unit 11B, only the image generated by the photographing unit 11B is designated as the display target image, and the designated image is specified. To the console 70.

FIG. 11 shows a flow of the display target image designation process executed by executing the display target image designation program 56 stored in the ROM 53 by the CPU 51 of the shooting unit control unit 50 of each of the shooting units 11A, 11B, and 11C. It is a flowchart. The display target image designation program 56 is started, for example, when the above-mentioned shooting control process (see FIG. 10) is started. That is, the display target image designation program 56 is executed in parallel with the shooting control program 55. The CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that executes the display target image designation program 56 is an example of the designation unit in the present invention.

In step S31, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 acquires the pixel value of each of the irradiation detection pixels 32 from the signal processing unit 42. Along with the X-ray irradiation, the electric signal due to the electric charge generated by each sensor 320 of the irradiation detection pixel 32 of each imaging unit 11 is supplied to the signal processing unit 42 via each signal line 36. The signal processing unit 42 of each photographing unit 11 generates a digital signal indicating each pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 based on the electric signal supplied via each signal line 36, and supplies this to the CPU 51. do. Note that this step S31 is executed before step S26 (charge reading) in the above-mentioned imaging control process (see FIG. 10).

This step S31 is a process for detecting the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation on the radiation detection panel 20. In the present embodiment, the irradiation detection pixel 32 is used to detect the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation on the radiation detection panel 20, but as described above, the irradiation detection pixel 32 is obtained by other means. It is possible to substitute, and it is also possible to detect the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation on the radiation detection panel 20 by the substitute means.

For example, instead of the irradiation detection pixel 32, a pixel arbitrarily selected from the photographing pixels 31 is made to function exclusively as a pixel (short pixel) for detecting the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation (the above ((the above)). In the case of 1)), in this step S31, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 exclusively acquires the pixel value of the pixel (short pixel) for detecting the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation from the signal processing unit 42. Detects the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation on the radiation detection panel 20.

Further, a method of providing a bias current detecting means for detecting the bias current flowing through each of the sensors 310 and detecting the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation based on the magnitude of the bias current detected by the bias current detecting means (the above (2). In the case of)), in this step S31, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 acquires information indicating the magnitude of the bias current from the bias current detecting means, so that the X on the radiation detection panel 20 is X. Detects the presence or absence of line irradiation.

Further, a method in which an additional TFT is provided in a pixel selected from the imaging pixels 31 and the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation is detected based on the leakage current of the additionally provided TFT (in the case of (3) above). ) Is used, in this step S31, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 obtains information indicating the magnitude of the leakage current of the additional TFT, thereby irradiating the X-ray on the radiation detection panel 20. Detect the presence or absence.

Further, a method (in the case of (4) above) in which the magnitude of the current flowing from the gate wire drive unit 41 to each gate wire 35 is detected and the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation is detected based on the magnitude of the detected current. When used, in this step S31, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 acquires information indicating the magnitude of the current flowing through each gate line 35, and thus the presence or absence of X-ray irradiation on the radiation detection panel 20. Is detected.

Further, a method in which a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of radiation irradiation is provided in a layer different from the layer in which the photographing pixel 31 is provided in the radiation detection panel 20, and a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of radiation irradiation are used for radiation detection. When a method provided separately from the panel 20 (in the case of (5) above) is used, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 is a sensor provided in a layer different from the layer provided with the photographing pixels 31. The presence or absence of X-ray irradiation on the radiation detection panel 20 is detected based on the output value of the above or the output value (pixel value) of the sensor provided separately from the radiation detection panel 20.

In step S32, whether or not the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 arranges the subject on the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to itself based on the pixel value of each of the irradiation detection pixels 32 acquired in step S31. To judge. For example, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 corresponds to itself when it is determined that the ratio of the pixels that output the pixel value exceeding the predetermined threshold value among the plurality of irradiation detection pixels 32 is equal to or more than the predetermined value. It is determined that the subject is arranged on the radiation detection panel 20.

For example, when a radiographic image is photographed using only the photographing unit 11B, X-rays are not normally emitted to the photographing units 11A and 11C which are not used for photographing. In this case, a remarkable difference appears between the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 of the photographing unit 11B used for photographing and the pixel value of the irradiation detecting pixel 32 of the photographing units 11A and 11C not used for photographing. The presence or absence of a subject can be determined by the above determination. Here, the X-rays radiated to the subject arranged on the photographing unit 11B may be scattered, and the X-rays may also be incident on the photographing units 11A and 11C not used for photographing. In this case, scattered rays may be detected in the photographing units 11A and 11C, and it may be erroneously determined that the subject is arranged on the radiation detection panels 20A and 20C. Therefore, in order to prevent such an erroneous determination, it is preferable to appropriately set a threshold value for the pixel value. Since the dose of scattered radiation is very small, it is possible to eliminate the influence of scattered radiation by appropriately setting the threshold value for the pixel value.

Further, since the radiation detection panel 20 of each imaging unit 11 is uniformly provided with a plurality of irradiation detection pixels 32, a simple radiation image can be obtained based on the pixel values of the irradiation detection pixels 32. It is possible to generate. Therefore, is the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 arranging the subject on the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to itself by analyzing a simple radiation image generated based on the pixel values of the irradiation detection pixels 32? It may be determined whether or not. Here, the continuous region on the radiation detection panel 20 in which the irradiation dose of X-rays is relatively small is likely to be a region in which the X-rays are irradiated through the subject. Therefore, as an example, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 detects a region where the X-ray dose is relatively large and a continuous region where the X-ray dose is relatively small, based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32. If so, it may be determined that the subject is arranged on the radiation detection panel 20. Even in this case as well, in order to eliminate the influence of the scattered rays, it is preferable to specify the pattern of the image generated by the scattered rays in advance so that the pattern of the image generated by the scattered rays can be distinguished from the subject image.

When the alternative means of the irradiation detection pixel 32 described above is used, whether or not the subject is arranged on the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to itself based on the information acquired by using the alternative means. To judge.

When the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines as a result of the determination process in step S32 that the subject is arranged on the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to itself, the process shifts to step S33. In step S33, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 designates a radiation image (radiation image based on the photographing pixel 31) generated by itself in step S27 of the above-mentioned photographing control process (see FIG. 10) as a display target image.

On the other hand, when the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines as a result of the determination process in step S32 that the subject is not arranged on the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to itself, the process shifts to step S34. In step S34, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 designates the radiation image generated by itself in step S27 of the imaging control process (see FIG. 10) as a non-display target image.

In step S35, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 stores the designated result in step S33 or step S34 in the RAM 52 in association with the radiographic image.

As described above, in each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C, in parallel with the generation of the radiation image based on the pixel value of each imaging pixel 31, the inside of the radiation image is based on the pixel value of each irradiation detection pixel 32. The presence or absence of the subject image in is determined. Further, based on the result of determining the presence or absence of the subject image, either the display target image or the non-display target image is designated for the radiation image generated in each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C. As described above, the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 is a process of generating a radiation image in each imaging unit 11 for one irradiation of radiation, and a display target image from among the radiation images generated in each imaging unit 11. The process of specifying is performed in parallel.

In the present embodiment, radiation imaging is performed in a process (step S32) of determining whether or not a subject is arranged on the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to itself based on each pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32. Although the device 10 is supposed to perform this process, the console 70 may perform this process. In this case, each photographing unit 11 of the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 transmits data in which the pixel value of the irradiation detecting pixel 32 is associated with the position information of the irradiation detecting pixel 32 to the console 70. Based on this data, the console 70 determines which radiation detection panel 20 the subject is placed on, and transmits the determination result to the radiation imaging apparatus 10. The radiation image capturing apparatus 10 designates a display target image and a non-display target image based on the determination result received from the console 70.

(Transmission control processing)
The radiation image capturing apparatus 10 transmits only the display target image designated by the display target image designation process (see FIG. 11) described above to the console 70. According to the display target image designation process according to the present embodiment, a plurality of radiation images generated by each of the plurality of imaging units 11 may be designated as display target images. For example, when it is determined that the radiation images generated by the two photographing units 11A and 11B include the subject image, the two radiation images are designated as the display target images. When a plurality of radiographic images are designated as display target images in this way, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 10 derives a transmission order for each of the plurality of radiographic images designated as display target images, and the derived transmission order is derived. Each of the images to be displayed is transmitted to the console 70 according to the above.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of transmission control processing executed by executing the transmission control program 57 stored in the ROM 53 by the CPU 51 constituting the photographing unit control unit 50 of each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C. be. The transmission control program 57 is executed by the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11, for example, after the above-mentioned photographing control processing (see FIG. 10) and display target image designation processing (see FIG. 11) are completed. The CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that executes the transmission control program 57 is an example of the transmission unit in the present invention.

In step S41, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image informs itself based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 acquired in step S31 of the display target image designation process (see FIG. 11). An estimated value of the area of the subject image included in the corresponding radiation image (display target image) is derived. Here, the continuous region on the radiation detection panel 20 where the irradiation dose of X-rays is relatively small is likely to be a region where X-rays are transmitted through the subject and irradiated. Therefore, as an example, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image identifies a continuous region in which the irradiation dose of X-rays is relatively small based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32, and determines the continuous region of the continuous region. The area may be derived as an estimated value of the area of the subject image.

In step S42, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image transmits the estimated value of the area of the subject image derived in step S41 to the other photographing unit 11 via the communication wiring 46. , The estimated value of the area of the subject image derived from the other photographing unit 11 is received from the other photographing unit 11 via the communication wiring 46. As a result, the estimated value of the area of the subject image derived in each photographing unit 11 is shared by the other photographing units 11.

In step S43, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image compares the estimated value of the area of the subject image derived by itself with the estimated value of the area of the subject image derived from the other photographing units 11. By doing so, the transmission order of the radiation image (display target image) corresponding to itself is derived. That is, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image transmits the display target image having a larger estimated value of the area of the subject image included in the display target image to the console 70 in advance. Derivation of transmission order.

In step S44, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image transmits the display target image generated by itself to the console 70 via the communication cable 110 according to the transmission order derived in step S43. .. For each of the displayed display target images to be transmitted, identification information indicating that the images are display target images and the transmission order of the images may be added. Images other than the display target image (non-display target image) are not transmitted to the console 70 but are held in the image memory 43. Each display target image transmitted to the console 70 is stored in the RAM 74 or HDD 75 of the console 70.

The flow of the transmission control process described above will be described with reference to specific examples. For example, in a case where the radiographic image I _A generated in the imaging unit 11A, a radiation image I _B generated in the photographing unit 11B has been designated as a display target image, the area of the subject image included in the radiographic image I _B estimate of, consider the case larger than the estimated value of the area of the subject image included in the radiographic image I _a. In this case, CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11B derives the "1" as the transmission order of the radiation image _{I B} generated by itself. On the other hand, CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11A derives the "2" as the transmission order of the radiation image _{I A} generated by itself.

CPU51 of the photographing unit 11B generating the radiation image _{I B} to be displayed on the image to be transmitted to the first transmits the radiation image _{I B} to the console 70. CPU51 of the photographing unit 11B, the radiation image _I other imaging units 11A that it has completed the transmission of _B, and notifies the 11C. Radiation image _I capturing unit 11A receives the notification of completion of transmission of _B, of 11C, the imaging unit 11A which generates a radiation image _{I A} is a display target image to be transmitted to the second CPU51, the radiation image _{I A} Send to console 70. Radiation image I _C generated by the imaging unit 11C, since not specified as the display target image, the radiation image I _C is not transmitted to the console 70 at this stage, it is held in the image memory 43.

As described above, the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment sets the transmission order of the plurality of display target images generated by the plurality of imaging units 11 to the console 70 as the area of the subject image included in the display target image. Derived based on the estimated value of. More specifically, the transmission order of the display target image is derived so that the display target image having a larger estimated value of the area of the subject image included in the display target image is transmitted to the console 70 in advance. Further, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 sequentially transmits a plurality of display target images to the console 70 according to the derived order. On the other hand, the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 holds an image other than the display target image (non-display target image) in the image memory 43 without transmitting it to the console 70.

According to the transmission control process according to the present embodiment, a more important image can be transmitted to the console 70 in advance. Further, since the image other than the display target image (non-display target image) is not transmitted to the console 70, the amount of data transmitted to the console 70 can be suppressed. As a result, the data transfer time can be shortened as compared with the case where all the radiographic images generated by each imaging unit 11 are transmitted to the console 70.

In the present embodiment, the process of deriving the estimated value of the area of the subject image based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 (step S41), and the estimated value of the derived area of the subject image are shared by each photographing unit 11. (Step S42), the process of deriving the transmission order of the radiation image (display target image) (step S43) is to be performed by the radiation image capturing apparatus 10, but each of these processes may be performed by the console 70.

In this case, each photographing unit 11 of the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 transmits data in which the pixel value of the irradiation detecting pixel 32 is associated with the position information of the irradiation detecting pixel 32 to the console 70. The console 70 derives an estimated value of the area of the subject image based on this data, and derives the transmission order of the radiation image based on the derived estimated value. The console 70 transmits information indicating the transmission order of the derived radiographic images to each imaging unit 11. Each photographing unit 11 transmits the display target image to the console 70 according to the transmission order derived from the console.

(Display control processing)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of display control processing executed by the CPU 73 of the console 70 executing the display control program 83 stored in the ROM 76. The display control program 83 is started, for example, when the console receives a display target image transmitted from the radiographic image capturing apparatus 10. The CPU 73 of the console 70 that executes the display control program 83 is an example of the display control unit in the present invention.

In step S51, the CPU 73 of the console 70 controls the display drive unit 77 to display the display target images for each imaging unit 11 transmitted from the radiation imaging apparatus 10 on the display unit 71 in the order of reception. That is, the display target images are displayed on the display unit 71 in the transmission order set by the radiation image capturing apparatus 10. The CPU 73 of the console may display each display target image on the display unit 71 in an order according to the transmission order shown in the identification information given to each of the display target images.

In step S52, the CPU 73 of the console 70 needs to analyze the display target image already displayed on the display unit 71, and display an image other than the display target image (non-display target image) on the display unit 71 in step S53. Judge the presence or absence of.

As described above, the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 determines the presence or absence of a subject image based on the pixel values of the irradiation detection pixels 32 provided on the radiation detection panel 20 of each imaging unit 11, and includes the subject image. The image determined to be displayed is designated as the display target image. However, the number of pixels of the irradiation detection pixel 32 provided on each radiation detection panel 20 is smaller than the number of pixels of the photographing pixel 31, and it may not be possible to appropriately determine the presence or absence of the subject image. That is, in the radiation image capturing apparatus 10, it is assumed that the image designated as the display target image does not include the subject image, or the non-display target image includes the subject image. Therefore, the CPU 73 of the console 70 performs image analysis on the display target image transmitted from the radiation image capturing apparatus 10, and determines whether or not the display target image appropriately includes the subject image. Since the display target image is a high-definition image generated by using the photographing pixel 31, it is possible to perform an analysis with higher accuracy than the analysis using the irradiation detection pixel 32.

The CPU 73 of the console 70 recognizes the shape based on the display target image transmitted from the radiation image capturing device 10, for example, and when the shape presumed to be the subject image is not included in the display target image, the CPU 73 other than the display target image. It may be determined that it is necessary to display the image (non-display target image) of the above on the display unit 71. Further, the CPU 73 of the console 70 is an image other than the display target image (non-display target image) when, for example, the pattern of the histogram of the pixel values in the display target image transmitted from the radiation image capturing device 10 does not satisfy a predetermined condition. May be determined that it is necessary to display on the display unit 71. Further, in the CPU 73 of the console 70, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the subject image Z recognized in the display target image I transmitted from the radiation image capturing device 10 is in contact with the image end portion E, and the subject image Z However, when it is determined that the non-display target image is also included in the non-display target image that has not been transmitted from the radiation image capturing apparatus 10, it may be determined that the non-display target image needs to be displayed on the display unit 71.

When the CPU 73 of the console 70 determines in step S53 that it is necessary to display an image (non-display target image) other than the display target image on the display unit 71, the process shifts to step S54, and it is not necessary. If it is determined, this routine is terminated.

In step S54, the CPU 73 of the console 70 generates information indicating that an image other than the display target image (non-display target image) needs to be displayed on the display unit 71, and transmits such information to the radiation imaging apparatus 10. By doing so, the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 is requested to transmit an image (non-display target image) other than the display target image. For example, if the CPU 73 of the console 70 cannot recognize the subject image in the display target image transmitted from the radiation image capturing device 10, all the non-display targets stored in the image memory 43 of the radiation image capturing device 10. You may request the transmission of images. Further, the CPU 73 of the console 70 is a non-display target that is presumed to include a missing portion of the subject image Z when the display target image transmitted from the radiation image capturing device 10 is interrupted as shown in FIG. You may request the transmission of images. Upon receiving the transmission request for the non-display target image from the console 70, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 reads the non-display target image related to the transmission request from the image memory 43 and transmits the non-display target image to the console 70.

In step S55, the CPU 73 of the console 70 waits for the non-display target image to be received, and when the non-display target image is received, the process proceeds to step S56.

In step S56, the CPU 73 of the console 70 controls the display drive unit 77 so that the received non-display target image is displayed together with the display target image already displayed on the display unit 71. That is, the display unit 71 displays a composite image of the image designated as the display target image in the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 and the non-display target image transmitted later in response to the request from the console 70. .. If the CPU 73 of the console 70 cannot recognize the subject image in the display target image as a result of the image analysis in step S52, the non-display target image transmitted later instead of the display target image is displayed on the display unit 71. The display drive unit 77 may be controlled so as to display.

As described above, the console 70 displays the display target images received from the radiation image capturing device 10 on the display unit 71 in the order of reception, and in response to the display request of the non-display target image, the image memory 43 of the radiation image capturing device 10 The non-display target image read from is displayed on the display unit 71 together with the display target image or in place of the display target image.

(Processing of the entire system)
FIG. 15 shows the above-mentioned imaging control process (see FIG. 10), display target image designation process (see FIG. 11), transmission control process (see FIG. 12), which are performed in the radiation imaging apparatus 10, and the console 70. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process of the whole system including the said shooting preparation process (see FIG. 9), display control process (see FIG. 13).

First, the shooting preparation process P1 shown in FIG. 9 is performed on the console 70. When a control signal indicating an instruction to start X-ray irradiation is transmitted from the console 70 to the radiographic image capturing apparatus 10 in the imaging preparation process P1 (step S15 in FIG. 9), the radiographic image capturing apparatus 10 performs the imaging control process P2. And the display target image designation process P3 is executed in parallel.

In the photographing control process P2, each photographing unit 11 generates a radiation image based on the pixel value of the photographing pixel 31, and stores the generated radiation image in the image memory 43 of each. Each imaging unit 11 shares detection information indicating that X-rays have been detected, and starts an operation for generating a radiographic image based on the detection information. Each imaging unit 11 performs imaging processing such as charge accumulation and charge readout at the same timing as each other. For example, even when a subject is arranged on the photographing unit 11B and a radiation image is taken using only the photographing unit 11B, not only the photographing unit 11B but also the photographing units 11A and 11C generate a radiation image. This process is performed, and the generated radiation image is stored in its own image memory 43.

In the display target image designation process P3, each photographing unit 11 determines whether or not the radiation image generated by itself includes a subject image based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32. When each photographing unit 11 determines that the radiation image generated by itself includes a subject image, designates the image as a display target image, and determines that the radiation image generated by itself does not include the subject image. , Specify the image as the non-display target image.

After the imaging control process P2 and the display target image designation process P3 are completed, the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 executes the transmission control process P4. In the transmission control process P4, each photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image derives an estimated value of the area of the subject image included in the display target image that it generates based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32. .. Each shooting unit 11 that generated the display target image derives the transmission order of the display target images so that the display target image having a larger estimated value of the area of the subject image included in the display target image is transmitted to the console 70 in advance. Then, the images to be displayed are sequentially transmitted to the console 70 according to the derived transmission order.

When the display target image transmitted from the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 is received by the console 70, the display control process P5 is executed on the console 70. In the display control process P5, the display target images transmitted from the radiation imaging apparatus 10 are displayed on the display unit 71 of the console 70 in the order of reception. Further, image analysis of the display target image is performed on the console 70, and it is necessary to display the non-display target image on the display unit 71 according to the determination result of whether or not the display target image appropriately includes the subject image. Is determined. When the console 70 determines that it is necessary to display the non-display target image on the display unit 71, the console 70 requests the radiation imaging apparatus 10 to transmit the non-display target image. Upon receiving the transmission request for the non-display target image from the console 70, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 reads the non-display target image related to the transmission request from the image memory 43 and transmits the non-display target image to the console 70. The console 70 replaces the non-display target image subsequently transmitted from the radiation imaging apparatus 10 with the display target image already displayed on the display unit 71 or with the display target image already displayed on the display unit 71. Is displayed on the display unit 71.

As is clear from the above description, it is presumed that the radiographic image capturing system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the subject image among the radiographic images generated by the plurality of imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C, respectively. Only the image to be displayed is designated as the display target image and transmitted to the console 70. By carefully selecting the images to be transmitted to the console 70 in this way, the amount of data transmitted to the console 70 can be suppressed, whereby all the radiographic images generated by each imaging unit 11 can be displayed on the console 70. The data transfer time can be shortened as compared with the case of transmitting to. Therefore, the waiting time until the image is displayed on the display unit 71 of the console 70 can be shortened as compared with the conventional case.

Further, since the transmission order of the display target images is determined according to the estimated value of the area of the subject included in the display target images generated by each shooting unit 11, the display unit 71 of the console 70 can quickly display the more important images. Can be displayed on.

Further, the process of designating the display target image and the process of deriving the transmission order of the display target images, which are performed in the radiation image capturing apparatus 10, are performed using the irradiation detection pixel 32, which has a smaller number of pixels than the photographing pixel 31. Therefore, each of the above processes can be performed in a relatively short time. Therefore, the influence on the display waiting time by the process of designating the display target image and the process of deriving the transmission order of the display target image is limited.

Further, when the display target image is analyzed by the console 70 and it is determined that the image designated as the non-display target image needs to be displayed by the radiation image capturing device 10, the radiation image capturing device 10 is subjected to the display. A request for transmission of the hidden target image is made. The radiographic images generated in each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C are stored in the image memory 43 regardless of whether or not the image is a display target image, and even after the display target image is transmitted to the console 70. It is held in the image memory 43. Therefore, when there is a request for transmission of the non-display target image from the console 70, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 can transmit the non-display target image to the console 70 in response to the transmission request. As described above, in the radiation image capturing system 100, the non-display target image can be displayed even if the display target image in the radiation image capturing device 10 is not properly specified, so that the risk of re-imaging is avoided. be able to.

Further, since the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C start the imaging operation all at once by sharing the detection information indicating that the X-rays generated in any of the imaging units have been detected, it is assumed that they will be used. A radiographic image can be generated even in the photographing unit 11 which has not been used. As a result, the subject image can be displayed even when the radiation image generated by the photographing unit 11 that was not initially intended to be used includes the subject image. According to the radiographic imaging apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the risk of re-imaging can be avoided even from such a viewpoint. Further, the user can set the arrangement of the subject with respect to the radiographic image capturing apparatus 10 without considering the boundaries of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C.

As described above, according to the radiation imaging system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to shorten the waiting time until the image is displayed on the external device while avoiding the risk of re-imaging.

In the present embodiment, even after the display target image is transmitted to the console 70, the corresponding radiation images (display target image or non-display target image) are stored in the image memories 43 of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C, respectively. Although it was decided to hold it, the present invention is not limited to this aspect. For example, after the display target image is transmitted to the console 70 (after the console 70 receives the display target image), only the non-display target image may be stored in the image memory 43. That is, after the display target image is transmitted to the console 70 (after the console 70 receives the display target image), the display target image may be deleted from the image memory 43. As a result, the storage area of the image memory 43 can be secured.

Further, from the viewpoint of securing the storage area of the image memory 43 of each photographing unit 11, it is preferable to appropriately erase the image stored in the image memory 43. The image erase from the image memory 43 may be performed at the following timing, for example. (1) Before the next X-ray irradiation, (2) After the imaging of the same patient is completed, (3) After the user operating the console 70 confirms the image to be used for diagnosis, (4) Radiation image After the image generated by the imaging device 10 is transmitted to the PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) connected to the radiographic imaging system 100 via a network, (5) the diagnosis by the doctor is completed and the electronic medical record or the like is completed. After the input to (6) is instructed by the user who operates the console 70 to delete the image by operating the operation input unit 72.

In either case, an instruction to erase the image is transmitted from the console 70 to the radiographic imaging apparatus 10. The radiation imaging apparatus 10 erases all or a part of the images from the image memory 43 based on the above instructions. The user may erase all or a part of the images stored in the image memory 43 by directly and manually operating the radiation imaging apparatus 10.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 16 shows a second embodiment of the present invention implemented by executing a transmission control program 57 stored in the ROM 53 by the CPU 51 constituting the photographing unit control unit 50 of each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the said transmission control processing.

The processes of steps S61 to S63 in the transmission control process according to the second embodiment are the same as the processes of steps S41 to S43 in the transmission control process (see FIG. 12) according to the first embodiment described above, and thus overlap. The description to be made is omitted.

The CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image in step S64 transmits the display target image generated by itself to the console 70 via the communication cable 110 according to the transmission order derived in step S63. For each of the displayed display target images to be transmitted, identification information indicating that the images are display target images and the transmission order of the images is given. In step S65, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines whether or not a non-display target image exists. When the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines that the non-display target image exists, the process proceeds to step S66, and when it is determined that the non-display target image does not exist, the CPU 51 terminates this routine.

In step S66, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 that generated the hidden target image transmits the hidden target image generated by itself to the console 70 via the communication cable 110. Identification information indicating that the image is a non-display target image is added to the transmitted non-display image. The display target image and the non-display target image transmitted to the console 70 are stored in the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 of the console 70. The RAM 74 or HDD 75 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is an example of the storage medium in the present invention.

As described above, in the transmission control process according to the second embodiment, all the radiation images generated in each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C are display target images or non-display target images. Is transmitted to the console 70. Since the display target image is transmitted in advance of the non-display target image, the display target image is received in the console 70 in advance of the non-display target image.

In the present embodiment, the process of deriving the estimated value of the area of the subject image based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 (step S61), and the estimated value of the derived area of the subject image are obtained by each photographing unit 11. In (step S62), the radiation imaging apparatus 10 performs the process of deriving the transmission order of the radiation image (display target image) (step S63), but even if each of these processes is performed by the console 70. good.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of display control processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention, which is executed by executing the display control program 83 stored in the ROM 76 by the CPU 73 of the console 70.

The processes of steps S71 to S73 in the display control process according to the second embodiment are the same as the processes of steps S51 to S53 in the display control process (see FIG. 13) according to the first embodiment described above, and thus overlap. The description to be made is omitted. In step S71, the CPU 73 of the console reads the display target image from the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 and displays it on the display unit 71. In this case, the display target image may be identified by referring to the identification information given to the display target image.

In step S74, the CPU 73 of the console 70 reads out the hidden target image transmitted from the radiographic image capturing device 10 and stored in the RAM 74 or the HDD 75. In this case, the non-display target image may be identified by referring to the identification information given to the non-display target image.

In step S75, the CPU 73 of the console 70 controls the display drive unit 77 so that the non-display target image read from the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 is displayed together with the display target image already displayed on the display unit 71. That is, the display unit 71 displays a composite image of the image designated as the display target image in the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 and the non-display target image. If the CPU 73 of the console 70 cannot recognize the subject image in the display target image as a result of the image analysis in step S72, the non-display target image read from the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 is displayed on the display unit 71 instead of the display target image. The display drive unit 77 may be controlled so as to display.

As described above, in the radiographic image capturing system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, all of the radiographic images generated in the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C are transmitted to the console 70. Of the radiographic images generated in each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C, the image designated as the display target image is transmitted to the console 70 in advance of the non-display target image, and is transmitted to the display unit 71 of the console 70. Is displayed. Therefore, according to the radiation imaging system 100 according to the second embodiment, it is possible to shorten the waiting time until the image is displayed as in the first embodiment.

Further, since the non-display target image can be displayed even if the display target image is not properly specified in the radiation image capturing device 10, the risk of re-imaging can be avoided.

According to the radiation imaging system 100 according to the second embodiment, since the non-display target image is held in the RAM 74 or HDD 75 of the console 70, it is hidden after it is determined that the non-display target image needs to be displayed. The time required to display the target image on the display unit 71 can be shortened as compared with the first embodiment. According to the radiographic image capturing system 100 according to the first embodiment, the radiographic imaging apparatus 10 does not need to transmit the non-display target image unless there is a transmission request from the console 70, so that the data transfer time Can be shortened. As a result, in the radiographic imaging apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, it is possible to quickly shift to the next imaging process.

From the viewpoint of securing the storage area of the RAM 74 or HDD 75 of the console 70, it is preferable to appropriately erase the images stored in these. The image erasing from the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 may be performed at the timings (1) to (6) described above, for example.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 18 shows the third embodiment of the present invention implemented by executing the transmission control program 57 stored in the ROM 53 by the CPU 51 constituting the photographing unit control unit 50 of each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the said transmission control processing.

The processes of steps S81 to S83 in the transmission control process according to the third embodiment are the same as the processes of steps S41 to S43 in the transmission control process (see FIG. 12) according to the first embodiment described above, and thus overlap. The description to be made is omitted.

In step S84, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image to be transmitted first transmits the display target image generated by itself to the console 70 via the communication cable 110.

In step S85, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines whether or not there is a display target image to be transmitted second. When the CPU 51 of each shooting unit 11 determines that the display target image to be transmitted second exists, the process proceeds to step S86, and when it is determined that the display target image to be transmitted second does not exist. Ends this routine.

In step S86, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image to be transmitted second displays the display target image generated by itself on the console in order from the end side adjacent to the display target image transmitted first. Send to 70. That is, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image to be transmitted second transmits the display target image generated by itself to transmit the image data on the end side adjacent to the display target image transmitted first. Is transmitted to the console 70 so that In other words, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image to be transmitted second includes the display target image generated by itself, the radiation detection panel 20 that generated the display target image transmitted first, and itself. The radiation is transmitted to the console 70 in order from the end side forming the overlapping portion of the imaging region with the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to the above.

In step S87, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines whether or not there is a display target image to be transmitted third. When the CPU 51 of each shooting unit 11 determines that the display target image to be transmitted third exists, the process proceeds to step S88, and when it is determined that the display target image to be transmitted does not exist third. Ends this routine.

In step S88, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image to be transmitted third has the display target image generated by itself on the end side adjacent to the display target image transmitted first or second. It is transmitted to the console 70 in order from. The CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image to be transmitted third uses the display target image generated by itself as the image data on the end side adjacent to the display target image transmitted first or second. It is transmitted to the console 70 so that the transmission precedes. In other words, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 that generated the display target image to be transmitted third has the display target image generated by itself, and the radiation detection panel that generated the display target image transmitted first or second. The radiation is transmitted to the console 70 in order from the end side forming the overlapping portion of the imaging area between the 20 and the radiation detection panel 20 corresponding to itself.

In the present embodiment, the process of deriving the estimated value of the area of the subject image based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 (step S81), and the estimated value of the derived area of the subject image are obtained by each photographing unit 11. In (step S82), the radiation imaging apparatus 10 performs the process of deriving the transmission order of the radiation image (display target image) (step S83), but even if each of these processes is performed by the console 70. good.

The content of the transmission control process according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, it is assumed that the subject O is arranged across the three photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C. The radiation image I _B generated by the imaging unit 11B, is specified as a display target image, the transmitting sequence of the radiation image I _B is assumed to be set first. The radiation image I _A generated by the imaging unit 11A, is specified as a display target image, the transmitting sequence of the radiation image I _A is assumed to be set to the second. The radiation image I _C generated by the photographing unit 11C, is specified as a display target image, the transmitting sequence of the radiation image I _C is assumed to be set to the third.

CPU51 of the photographing unit 11A which generates a display target image I _A to be transmitted to the second is the display target image I _A generated by itself, the end portion adjacent to the display target image I _B sent to the first E _B1 Transmission is performed to the console 70 in the order from the side toward the opposite end _{EB2 side.} In other words, the radiation detection panel 20B that CPU51 produced a display target image I _B sent to the first imaging unit 11A which generates a display target image I _A to be transmitted to the second, to be transmitted to the second transmitting a display target image I _a in the order toward the end portion E _B2 from the end portion E _B1 side to form the overlapping portion Y1 of the imaging area of the other side of the radiation detection panel 20A which generates a display target image I _a to the console 70 do. That is, the transmission of the image data of the end portion E _B1 side, the display target image I _A to the preceding is transmitted than the transmission of the image data of the end portion E _B2 side.

End Similarly, CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11C which generates a display target image I _C to be transmitted to the third, the adjacent displayed images I _C generated by itself, a display target image I _B sent to the first Transmission is performed to the console 70 in the order from the portion _EC1 side to the opposite end portion _{EC2 side.} In other words, CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11C which generates a display target image I _C to be transmitted to the third is a radiation detection panel 20B which generates a display target image I _B transmitted to the first, be transmitted to the third displayed images I _C to the console 70 in the order toward the end portion E _C2 opposite from the end portion E _C1 side to form the overlapping portion Y2 of the imaging region of the radiation detection panel 20C which generates a display target image I _C to Send. That is, the transmission of the image data of the end portion E _C1 side, the display target image I _C to the preceding is transmitted than the transmission of the image data of the end portion E _C2 side.

The display unit 71 of the console 70, after which the display target image I _B is displayed, the display target image I _A is displayed in this order from the end portion E _B1 side adjacent to the display target image I _B, the display target image I _A after There is displayed, the display target image I _C are displayed in order from the end E _C1 side adjacent to the display target image I _B.

In this way, of the display target images generated by each of the two radiation detection panels 20 adjacent to each other, the image to be transmitted later is sequentially displayed from the end side forming the overlapping portion of the two radiation detection panels 20. By transmitting the image, the entire image of the subject can be quickly displayed on the display unit 71 of the console 70.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 20 shows the fourth embodiment of the present invention implemented by executing the transmission control program 57 stored in the ROM 53 by the CPU 51 constituting the photographing unit control unit 50 of each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the said transmission control processing.

The processes of steps S91 to S94 in the transmission control process according to the fourth embodiment are the same as the processes of steps S41 to S44 in the transmission control process (see FIG. 12) according to the first embodiment described above, and thus overlap. The description to be made is omitted.

In step S95, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines whether or not a non-display target image exists. When the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines that the non-display target image exists, the process proceeds to step S96, and when it is determined that the non-display target image does not exist, the CPU 51 terminates this routine.

In step S96, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 that generated the non-display target image uses the console 70 to display an image portion of the non-display target image that is included in a predetermined range starting from the end adjacent to the display target image. Send.

The contents of the transmission control process according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, only the radiation image I _B generated by the imaging unit 11B is specified as a display target image, the radiation image I _C generated by the radiation image I _A and the photographing unit 11C generated by the imaging unit 11A, the non It is assumed that the image is to be displayed.

CPU51 of the photographing unit 11A, among the non-display target image _{I A} generated by itself, the display target image _I console 70 the image portion included in the predetermined range _{I AE} originating an end _{E B1} on the side _B and the adjacent Send to. Similarly, CPU 51, among the non-display target image _{I C} generated by itself, the image portion included in the predetermined range _{I CE} originating side end _{E C1} adjacent to the display target image _{I B} of the photographing unit 11C To the console 70.

In the present embodiment, the process of deriving the estimated value of the area of the subject image based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 (step S91), and the estimated value of the derived area of the subject image are obtained by each photographing unit 11. In (step S92), the radiation imaging apparatus 10 performs the process of deriving the transmission order of the radiation image (display target image) (step S93), but even if each of these processes is performed by the console 70. good.

As described above, the accuracy of subject recognition using the irradiation detection pixel 32 in the display target image designation process (see FIG. 11) is not high, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the radiation image I including a part of the subject image. _A and I _C is may not be designated as a display target image. In this case, in an embodiment of the transmission control process (FIG. 12) according to a first embodiment of the radiation image I _A and I _C is not transmitted to the console 70. Accordingly, the display control process performed by the console 70 radiographic images I _A and I _C according to the result of the image analysis in (see FIG. 13) becomes the be displayed with a delay to the radiation image I _B, total subject The waiting time until the image is displayed on the display unit 71 becomes long.

According to the transmission control process according to the fourth embodiment, even if it is a non-display target image, an image portion included in a predetermined range starting from the end on the side adjacent to the display target image is transmitted to the console 70. NS. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the subject O is arranged across the photographing units 11A, 11B, 11C (radiation detection panels 20A, 20B, 20C), and the image generated by any of the photographing units 11 is a non-display target. Even if it is an image, the entire image of the subject can be quickly displayed on the display unit 71 of the console 70.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the brightness distribution of a radiation image generated when a uniform dose of X-rays is applied to the radiation detection panel 20B of the imaging unit 11B arranged in the center. The radiation detection panel 20B is arranged on the downstream side in the X-ray irradiation direction with respect to the radiation detection panel 20A of the imaging unit 11A and the radiation detection panel 20C of the imaging unit 11C. One end of the imaging region R _B in the radiation detection panel 20B is superposed on the irradiation direction of the one end portion and the X-ray imaging area R _A of the radiation detection panel 20A, imaging region R in a radiation detection panel 20B _{The other end of B is overlapped with one end of the imaging region RC} in the radiation detection panel 20C in the X-ray irradiation direction. Hereinafter, imaging area designated as R _A and the photographing region R _B and overlaps the overlap portion section Y1, referred to as imaging region R _B and imaging region R _C and overlapping portions overlapping portion Y2.

The overlapping portions Y1 and Y2 of the radiation detection panel 20B are irradiated with X-rays attenuated by passing through _{the imaging region RA of the radiation detection panel 20A and the imaging region RC} of the radiation detection panel 20C, respectively. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22, the brightness of the portion corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20B is lower than the brightness of the other portions. Therefore, it is preferable to perform the luminance correction on the portions corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2 of the radiation images generated by the radiation detection panel 20B.

The brightness correction of the image portion corresponding to the overlapping portion Y1 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20B is performed using the pixel value of the image portion corresponding to the overlapping portion Y1 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20A. be able to. This is because the pixel value is based on X-rays that include image information corresponding to the image portion corresponding to the overlapping portion Y1 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20B and have not been attenuated.

Similarly, the brightness correction of the image portion corresponding to the overlapping portion Y2 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20B sets the pixel value of the image portion corresponding to the overlapping portion Y2 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20C. Can be done using. This is because the pixel value is based on X-rays that include image information corresponding to the image portion corresponding to the overlapping portion Y2 of the radiation image generated by the radiation detection panel 20B and have not been attenuated.

Therefore, in the radiation image capturing system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 is a radiation image generated by the imaging unit 11A (radiation detection panel 20A) and the imaging unit 11C (radiation detection panel 20C). However, even when the non-display target image is set, the image portion corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2 is transmitted to the console 70 as a correction image. The console 70 corrects the radiation image as the display target image generated by the photographing unit 11B (radiation detection panel 20B) by using the correction image.

FIG. 23 shows the fifth embodiment of the present invention implemented by executing the transmission control program 57 stored in the ROM 53 by the CPU 51 constituting the photographing unit control unit 50 of each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the said transmission control processing.

The processes of steps S101 to S104 in the transmission control process according to the fifth embodiment are the same as the processes of steps S41 to S44 in the transmission control process (see FIG. 12) according to the first embodiment described above, and thus overlap. The description to be made is omitted.

In step S105, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 determines whether or not the radiation image generated by the imaging unit 11B arranged on the downstream side in the X-ray irradiation direction is the display target image. When the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines that the radiation image generated in the photographing unit 11B is the display target image, the process proceeds to step S106, and when it is determined that the radiation image is not the display target image, the present invention End the routine.

In step S106, the CPU 51 of each imaging unit 11 determines whether or not the radiation images generated by the imaging units 11A and 11C arranged on the upstream side in the X-ray irradiation direction are non-display target images. When the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines that the radiation image generated in the photographing units 11A and 11C is a non-display target image, the process proceeds to step S107 and determines that the radiation image is not a non-display target image. In that case, this routine is terminated.

In step S107, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 (one or both of the photographing units 11A and 11B) that generated the non-display target image corresponds to the overlapping portion Y1 or Y2 of the non-display target images generated by itself. The image portion is transmitted to the console 70 as a correction image.

In the present embodiment, the process of deriving the estimated value of the area of the subject image based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 (step S101), and the estimated value of the derived area of the subject image are obtained by each photographing unit 11. In (step S102), the radiation imaging apparatus 10 performs the process of deriving the transmission order of the radiation image (display target image) (step S103), but even if each of these processes is performed by the console 70. good.

The content of the transmission control process according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 24. Here, only the radiation image I _B generated by the imaging unit 11B (radiation detection panel 20B) is displayed is designated as the target image, photographing unit 11A (radiation detection panel 20A) radiation images I _A and a photographing unit generated by 11C radiographic image I _C generated by the (radiation detection panel 20C) is assumed to be a non-display target image.

CPU51 of the photographing unit 11A, among the non-display target image _{I A} generated by itself, and transmits to the console 70 the image part _{I AP} corresponding to the overlapping portion Y1 as correction image. Similarly, CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11C, among the non-display target image I _C generated by itself, and transmits to the console 70 the image part I _CP corresponding to the overlapping portion Y2 of the shooting area as a correction image.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the flow of display control processing according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, which is executed by the CPU 73 of the console 70 executing the display control program 83 stored in the ROM 76.

In step S111, the CPU 73 of the console 70 displays the display target images transmitted from the radiographic image capturing apparatus 10 on the display unit 71 in the order of reception. In this case, the end portion (the image portion corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2) of the display target image generated by the photographing unit 11B (radiation detection panel 20B) is hidden or displayed in black.

In step S112, the CPU 73 of the console 70 transmits the end portion (image portion corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2) of the display target image generated by the imaging unit 11B (radiation detection panel 20B) from the radiation imaging apparatus 10. Correction is performed using the corrected image for correction. That is, the brightness value of each pixel at the end (image portion corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2) of the display target image generated by the photographing unit 11B (radiation detection panel 20B) is set to the brightness of the corresponding pixel in the correction image. Correct based on. By such correction, the influence of X-ray attenuation is eliminated at the end portion (image portion corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2) of the display target image generated by the photographing unit 11B (radiation detection panel 20B).

In step S113, the CPU 73 of the console 70 displays the image portion corrected in step S112 on the display unit 71. That is, the image portion that was hidden or displayed in black in step S111 is displayed after the correction process. By the above correction process, the luminance step as shown in FIG. 21 is eliminated in the radiation image generated by the photographing unit 11B (radiation detection panel 20B).

Subsequent processes of steps S114 to S118 are the same as the processes of steps S52 to S56 in the display control process (see FIG. 13) according to the first embodiment described above, and thus redundant description will be omitted.

As described above, according to the radiation imaging system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, at least the radiation images generated by the imaging unit 11A (radiation detection panel 20A) and the imaging unit 11C (radiation detection panel 20C) Even when one of the non-display target images is set, the brightness correction process can be performed by using a part of the non-display target image as the correction image, and the display target generated by the photographing unit 11B (radiation detection panel 20B) can be performed. The image quality can be improved.

Further, the display target image other than the end portion (image portion corresponding to the overlapping portions Y1 and Y2) of the display target image generated by the photographing unit 11B (radiation detection panel 20B) is received by the console 70 and then described above. Since the image is displayed immediately without waiting for the completion of the correction process, it is possible to avoid an increase in the waiting time until the image is displayed. After the above correction process is completed, all the display target images may be displayed on the display unit 71 all at once.

Further, since the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 transmits only the image portion necessary for correction among the non-display target images to the console 70, the data transmission time and the correction are compared with the case where the entire non-display target image is transmitted. The processing time can be shortened, and as a result, the display waiting time of the image after the correction processing can be shortened.

In the present embodiment, when the radiation image generated by the photographing unit 11B is used as the display target image and at least one of the radiation images generated by the photographing units 11A and 11C is used as the non-display target image, The non-display target image is always transmitted to the console 70 as a correction image, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 may transmit a correction image to the console 70 in response to a transmission request from the console 70. The console 70 issues a correction image transmission request to the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 based on, for example, the result of analysis of the display target image or an instruction given by the user via the operation input unit 72, and corrects after receiving the correction image. The process may be carried out.

Here, FIG. 26 is a schematic configuration diagram of the radiation detection panel 20A and the signal processing unit 42 constituting the photographing unit 11A. The signal processing unit 42 includes a plurality of signal processing circuits 42a, each of which is connected to a plurality of signal lines 36. That is, the signal transmitted to each of the signal lines 36 provided on the radiation detection panel 20A is processed by the corresponding signal processing circuit 42a. In Figure 26, imaging region R _A and the photographing region R _{B (not} shown in FIG. 26) and the overlapping portions overlapping portions Y1 are indicated by hatching. As shown in FIG. 26, it is preferable that the overlapping portion Y1 is contained within the processing target range in the single signal processing circuit 42a. As a result, in the photographing unit 11A, if a single signal processing circuit 42a (the signal processing circuit 42a on the far right in FIG. 26) is driven, the image data of the correction image can be generated, and the image data of the correction image can be generated. The generation can be done quickly. Similarly, in the photographing unit 11C, it is preferable that the overlapping portion Y2 is contained within the processing target range of the single signal processing circuit 42a.

[Sixth Embodiment]
In the field of image processing, a method of identifying image blur by a point spread function (PSF) is known. That is, the point image is not projected as it is, but is projected while being diffused according to the point spread function.

Here, assuming that the original image before deterioration is f (x, y), the image after deterioration is g (x, y), and the spatial filter corresponding to the point spread function is h (x, y), the image after deterioration G (x, y) can be expressed by the following equation (1).
g (x, y) = f (x, y) * h (x, y) ... (1)
By Fourier transforming Eq. (1), the following Eq. (2) is obtained.
G (u, v) = F (u, v) H (u, v) ... (2)
From equation (2), the following equation (3) is obtained.
F (u, v) = G (u, v) / H (u, v) ... (3)
Therefore, the original image before deterioration can be restored by performing the inverse Fourier transform on the product of the Fourier transform G (u, v) of the deteriorated image and the inverse filter 1 / H (u, v). Hereinafter, such a restoration process will be referred to as a point diffusion correction process.

Since the image after deterioration is an image formed by diffusing each point image constituting the original image before deterioration, in order to perform the point spread correction processing, the spread range of the image after deterioration (the original image is It is necessary to specify the diffusion range (the outer edge of the blurred image), that is, the diffusion range of the point image based on the point spread function. It is considered that the spread range of the image after deterioration changes according to the diffusion angle and the diffusion distance, and the diffusion angle and the diffusion distance have a correlation with the thickness of the subject (height from the shooting surface, body thickness). Conceivable. That is, it is considered that the thicker the subject thickness (body thickness), the larger the diffusion range of the point image and the larger the spread range of the subject image.

Therefore, in the radiographic imaging system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the radiographic imaging apparatus 10 is included in the subject information notified from the console 70 in step S13 of the above-mentioned imaging preparation process (see FIG. 9). Based on the thickness (body thickness) of the subject, the spread range of the subject image based on the point spread function is specified. When the non-display target image includes the spread range of the specified subject image, the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 selects an image portion of the non-display target image that includes at least the spread range of the subject image. It is transmitted to the console 70 as a correction image for the point diffusion correction processing. The entire non-display target image may be transmitted to the console 70 as a correction image for the point diffusion correction process. When the expansion range of the subject image extends to the non-display target image, the console 70 deteriorates a series of images including the display target image and the image portion of the non-display target image which is the correction image. The above point diffusion correction processing is performed as the image g (x, y).

FIG. 27 shows the sixth embodiment of the present invention implemented by executing the transmission control program 57 stored in the ROM 53 by the CPU 51 constituting the photographing unit control unit 50 of each of the photographing units 11A, 11B, and 11C. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the said transmission control processing.

Since the processes of steps S121 to S124 in the transmission control process according to the sixth embodiment are the same as the processes of steps S41 to S44 in the transmission control process (see FIG. 12) according to the first embodiment described above, they are duplicated. The description to be made is omitted.

In step S125, the CPU 51 of each shooting unit 11 detects the thickness (body thickness) of the subject and the irradiation detection included in the subject information notified from the console 70 in step S13 of the above-mentioned shooting preparation process (see FIG. 9). Based on the result of subject recognition using the pixel 32, the spread range of the subject image (the range in which the original image is diffused, the outer edge of the blurred image) is estimated. For estimating the spread range of the subject image, for example, a table that defines the correspondence between the thickness (body thickness) of the subject and the spread range of the subject image may be used. The above table may be created based on actual measurement using, for example, a phantom.

In step S126, the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines whether or not the spread range of the subject image estimated in step S125 is included in the non-display target image. When the CPU 51 of each shooting unit 11 determines that the expansion range of the subject image is included in the non-display target image, the process proceeds to step S127, and the expansion range of the subject image is included in the non-display target image. If it is determined that this is not the case, this routine is terminated.

In step S127, the CPU 51 of the photographing unit 11 that generated the non-display target image including the spread range of the subject image is an image that includes the spread range of the subject image among the non-display target images generated by itself. The part is transmitted to the console 70.

In the present embodiment, the process of deriving the estimated value of the area of the subject image based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 (step S121), and the estimated value of the derived area of the subject image are obtained by each photographing unit 11. In (step S122), the radiation imaging apparatus 10 performs the process of deriving the transmission order of the radiation image (display target image) (step S3), but even if each of these processes is performed by the console 70. good.

The content of the transmission control process according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 28. Here, only the radiation image I _B generated by the imaging unit 11B (radiation detection panel 20B) is displayed is designated as the target image, photographing unit 11A (radiation detection panel 20A) radiation images I _A and a photographing unit generated by 11C radiographic image I _C generated by the (radiation detection panel 20C) is assumed to be a non-display target image. Also, spreading the range Q of the estimated subject image in each imaging unit 11, as shown in FIG. 27, the radiation image I _A, I _B, assumed to be included in the I _C.

CPU51 of the photographing unit 11A, among the non-display target image I _A generated by itself, and transmits to the console 70 the image part I _AP that contains the spreading range Q of the object image as a correction image. Similarly, CPU 51 of the imaging unit 11C, among the non-display target image I _C generated by itself, and transmits to the console 70 the image part I _CP that contains the spreading range Q of the object image as a correction image.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the flow of display control processing according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, which is executed by the CPU 73 of the console 70 executing the display control program 83 stored in the ROM 76.

In step S131, the CPU 73 of the console 70 controls the display drive unit 77 to display the display target images for each imaging unit 11 stored in the RAM 74 or HDD 75 on the display unit 71 in the order of receiving from the radiation imaging apparatus 10. Let me. That is, in this step S131, the image before the point diffusion correction processing is displayed on the display unit 71.

In step S132, the CPU 73 of the console 70 performs a point diffusion correction process on the display target image displayed on the display unit 71. When the image portion of the non-display target image is transmitted as the correction image from the radiation image capturing device 10, the CPU 73 of the console 70 includes the display target image and the image portion of the non-display target image which is the correction image. A series of images including the above are subjected to point diffusion correction processing as the deteriorated image g (x, y).

In step S133, the CPU 73 of the console 70 causes the display unit 71 to display the display target image that has undergone the point diffusion correction processing.

Subsequent processes of steps S134 to S138 are the same as the processes of steps S52 to S56 in the display control process (see FIG. 13) according to the first embodiment described above, and thus duplicate description will be omitted.

As described above, according to the radiation imaging system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, even if the image is a non-display target image, the image portion including the spread range of the subject image is a correction image. Since it is used for the point diffusion correction processing, it is possible to perform the point diffusion correction processing on the display target image even when the non-display target image includes the expansion range of the subject image.

Further, since the image to be displayed is immediately displayed in the state before the correction process after being received by the console 70 without waiting for the end of the point diffusion correction process, it is possible to avoid an increase in the waiting time until the image is displayed. be able to. After the point diffusion correction processing is completed, the display target image after the correction processing may be displayed on the display unit 71.

Further, since the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 transmits only the image portion necessary for correction among the non-display target images to the console 70, the data transmission time and the correction are compared with the case where the entire non-display target image is transmitted. The processing time can be shortened, and as a result, the display waiting time of the image after the correction processing can be shortened.

In the present embodiment, when the expansion range of the subject image is included in the non-display target image, the image portion of the non-display target image is always transmitted to the console 70 as a correction image. It is not limited. For example, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 may transmit a correction image to the console 70 in response to a transmission request from the console 70. The console 70 issues a correction image transmission request to the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 based on, for example, the result of analysis of the display target image or an instruction given by the user via the operation input unit 72, and corrects after receiving the correction image. The process may be carried out.

Further, in the present embodiment, the expansion range Q of the subject image is based on the thickness (body thickness) of the subject included in the subject information notified from the console 70 and the result of subject recognition using the irradiation detection pixel 32. Is to be estimated and the image parts I _AP and I _CP as the correction image are extracted, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 estimates the spread range of the subject image by performing image analysis on the image generated by itself in each photographing unit 11, and extracts _{the image portions I AP} and I _{CP as the correction image.} You may.

Further, the radiographic imaging apparatus 10, information other than thick body of subject information notified from the console 70 (e.g., gender, weight, age) image part I _AP as correction image in consideration also, I _CP may be extracted. Here, it is assumed that the spread range Q of the subject image is determined by the scattered rays, and many scattered rays are generated in a dense portion such as a bone. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the generation state of scattered rays by estimating the skeleton of the subject based on various information (gender, weight, age, body thickness) included in the subject information, and to estimate the spread range Q of the subject image. can.

_{Further, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 obtains image portions I AP} and I _CP as correction images based on X-ray irradiation conditions such as tube voltage, tube current, and SID (source-image distance) notified from the console 70. It may be extracted. For example, the higher the tube voltage, the higher the linearity of X-rays, the smaller the influence of scattered rays, and the smaller the spread range Q of the subject image. In addition, the tube current is proportional to the X-ray dose, which affects the density of the radiographic image. In addition, the angle of incidence of X-rays on the subject changes according to the SID. That is, the larger the SID, the closer the angle of incidence of X-rays to the subject becomes closer to vertical. As a result, it becomes less susceptible to scattering, and the spread range Q of the subject image becomes smaller. On the other hand, the smaller the SID, the more obliquely incident the subject is on the edge side. As a result, it becomes easily affected by scattering, and the spread range Q of the subject image becomes large.

[Modification example]
Although the radiographic imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to each of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the display target image is specified based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 10 includes the gender, age, height, target site, and time of imaging of the patient as the subject, which is included in the subject information transmitted from the console 70 in step S13 of the imaging preparation process (see FIG. 9). The display target image may be specified based on the attribute information of the subject such as the posture. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the radiographic imaging apparatus 10 is arranged for standing imaging and the patient as the subject is an adult male and the imaging site is the chest, the imaging unit 11A , 11B, 11C, the radiation image generated by the photographing unit 11A arranged at the uppermost position and the photographing unit 11B arranged at the center may be designated as the display target image. When the display target image is specified based on the subject information in this way, the subject attribute information such as the gender, age, height, shooting target part, and posture at the time of shooting of the patient, and the shooting used for shooting are performed. A table that defines the correspondence with the unit 11 may be used. In this way, by designating the display target image using the attribute information of the subject and the table, the processing is compared with the case where the display target image is designated based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32. It is possible to shorten the time.

Further, when the user specifies the imaging unit 11 to be used for imaging prior to imaging, the radiation image generated by the designated imaging unit 11 may be designated as the display target image. For example, in step S13 of the imaging preparation process (see FIG. 9), the display target image or the designation information for designating the imaging unit 11 to be used may be transmitted from the console 70 to the radiation imaging apparatus 10 together with the subject information. The radiation image capturing apparatus 10 may specify a display target image based on the designated information. By specifying the display target image based on the user specification in this way, it is possible to shorten the processing time related to the designation of the display target image, and it is possible to specify a more appropriate image as the display vs. image. ..

Further, in the display target image designation process (see FIG. 11), when the CPU 51 of each photographing unit 11 determines that the subject detection based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 has failed (error case), the photographing unit All the radiographic images generated in each of 11A, 11B, and 11C may be designated as display target images. In this way, in the case of an error case, by setting all the images as display target images, the process of additionally displaying the non-display target images is not executed, and as a result, the display waiting time of the desired image is reduced. There is a high possibility that it can be shortened. Further, when a subject is detected in the photographing units 11A and 11C at both ends, it is assumed that the subject is also detected in the central photographing unit 11B, and all the radiation images generated in each of the photographing units 11A, 11B and 11C. May be specified as the display target image.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the transmission order of the display target image to the console 70 is derived based on the estimated value of the area of the subject image derived based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32. , Not limited to this. For example, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 10 includes the gender, age, height, imaging target portion, and imaging time of the patient as the subject, which is included in the subject information transmitted from the console 70 in step S13 of the imaging preparation process (see FIG. 9). The transmission order of the images to be displayed may be derived based on the attribute information of the subject such as the posture of the image. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the radiographic imaging apparatus 10 is arranged for standing imaging, when the patient as the subject is an adult male and the imaging site is the chest, the uppermost position is obtained. Even if the transmission order is set so that the radiation image generated by the arranged imaging unit 11A is transmitted to the console 70 first and the radiation image generated by the centrally arranged imaging unit 11B is transmitted second. good. In this way, when the transmission order of the display target images is determined based on the subject attribute information, the subject attribute information such as the subject's gender, age, height, shooting target part, and posture at the time of shooting, and the transmission of the display target image are transmitted. A table that defines the correspondence with the order may be used. In this way, by deriving the transmission order of the display target image using the attribute information of the subject and the table, the processing time is reduced as compared with the case where the transmission order is derived based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32. It can be shortened.

Further, when the user specifies the photographing unit 11 to be used for photographing and the transmission order of the display target images prior to the photographing, the radiation image generated in the designated photographing unit 11 is designated as the display target image. , The order of transmitting the images to be displayed to the console 70 may be determined according to the designated order. For example, in step S13 of the shooting preparation process (see FIG. 9), the console provides subject information, designated information for designating the image to be displayed or the shooting unit 11 to be used, and transmission order information indicating the transmission order of each of the plurality of display target images. It may be transmitted from 70 to the radiographic imaging apparatus 10. The radiation imaging apparatus 10 may specify the display target image based on the designated information and the transmission order information, and may determine the transmission order of the display target images. By determining the transmission order of the images to be displayed based on the user's designation in this way, the processing time of the transmission control process (see FIG. 12) can be shortened, and the image desired by the user can be quickly displayed on the display unit of the console 70. It is possible to display it on 71.

Further, when the CPU 51 of each shooting unit 11 determines that the subject detection based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 has failed (error case), all generated in each of the shooting units 11A, 11B, and 11C. The radiation image of the above may be designated as a display target image, and in this case, the transmission order of each display target image may be transmitted in a predetermined order. Further, when a subject is detected in the photographing units 11A and 11C at both ends, it is assumed that the subject is also detected in the central photographing unit 11B, and all the radiation images generated in each of the photographing units 11A, 11B and 11C. May be specified as the image to be displayed. In this case, the radiation image generated by the imaging units 11A and 11C is transmitted to the console 70 in advance, and the radiation image generated by the imaging unit 11B is finally transmitted to the console. It may be transmitted to 70.

Further, when transmitting the display target image generated by the two photographing units 11A and 11B or the photographing units 11B and 11C adjacent to each other to the console 70, the display target generated by the photographing unit 11B arranged in the center is transmitted. The image may always be sent to the console 70 first. In general, there is a high possibility that the region of interest is arranged on the central photographing unit 11B. Therefore, by determining the transmission order as described above, a more important image is transmitted to the console 70 in advance. be able to.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, it is decided that the display target image is specified and the transmission order of the display target image is derived based on the pixel value of the irradiation detection pixel 32 provided in each radiation detection panel 20. , Not limited to this. For example, instead of the irradiation detection pixel 32, a known radiation detection device such as an ion chamber provided outside the radiation imaging device 10 can be used. The ion chamber is configured by arranging a high voltage electrode and a signal electrode facing each other in a metal container filled with an inert gas such as xenon gas having a large X-ray absorption coefficient. When X-rays enter the metal container of the ion chamber, the enclosed gas is ionized and a current flows between the high-voltage electrode and the signal electrode, so that X-rays can be detected. When an ion chamber is used instead of the irradiation detection pixel 32, it is preferable to arrange a plurality of ion chambers for each of the imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C. In this case, by defining the positional relationship between each ion chamber and the radiation detection panel 20, the ion chamber can play the same role as the irradiation detection pixel 32. That is, it is possible to specify the display target image and derive the transmission order of the display target image based on the output of each ion chamber. By using the ion chamber, it is possible to specify the display target image and derive the transmission order of the display target image based on the irradiation dose of X-rays even in the radiation imaging device having no irradiation detection pixel.

Further, in the display control process according to each of the above-described embodiments, it is determined whether or not the non-display target image needs to be displayed based on the result of image analysis of the display target image on the console 70. It is not limited to. For example, the necessity of displaying the non-display target image may be determined based on the instruction given by the user via the operation input unit 72 of the console 70. That is, the user confirms the display target image displayed on the display unit 71 of the console 70, and performs an operation requesting the display of the non-display target image on the operation input unit 72 as necessary. In response to such a user operation, in the aspect of the display control process (FIG. 13) according to the first embodiment, a transmission request for a non-display target image is transmitted from the console 70 to the radiation imaging apparatus 10, and the second embodiment is performed. In the aspect of the display control process (see FIG. 17) according to the mode, the non-display target image is read from the RAM 74 or the HDD 75 of the console 70.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the console 70 displays the images to be displayed on the display unit 71 in the order in which the images to be displayed are received (that is, the transmission order set in the radiation imaging apparatus 10). It is not limited to. For example, the console 70 may perform image analysis before displaying the display target image, and display the display target images in the display order derived according to the analysis result.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the radiation image generated by the radiation imaging apparatus 10 is displayed on the display unit 71 of the console 70 has been illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The radiation image generated by the radiation image capturing device 10 may be displayed on a display screen of a device separate from the console 70 such as a portable display terminal device, for example. In this case, the mobile display terminal device or the like may have substantially the same function as the console 70, and may carry out the display control process according to each of the above-described embodiments. Further, the console 70 may perform the display control process according to each of the above-described embodiments, and the portable display terminal device or the like may only display an image based on the control by the console 70. That is, the portable display terminal device or the like may have a function as a display unit 71 of the console 70.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the radiation images generated in the respective imaging units 11A, 11B, and 11C are stored in the image memory 43 of the radiation imaging apparatus 10 or the RAM 74 or HDD 75 of the console 70. It is not limited to this aspect. For example, the radiographic images generated by the radiographic image capturing units 11A, 11B, and 11C may be stored in an external storage medium communicably connected to both the radiographic imaging apparatus 10 and the console 70. In this case, the non-display target image is read from the external storage medium in response to the transmission request from the console 70.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the radiation detection panel adopting the indirect conversion method is used has been illustrated, but the radiation detection panel adopting the direct conversion method may be used. Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where X-rays are used as the radiation to be irradiated when the radiographic image is taken has been illustrated, but other radiations such as gamma rays, ultraviolet rays, and neutron rays may be used. In addition, each process in each of the above-described embodiments can be carried out in combination with each other.

10 Radiation imaging device 11, 11A, 11B, 11C Imaging unit 20, 20A, 20B, 20C Radiation detection panel 31 Imaging pixel 32 Irradiation detection pixel 34 TFT
35 Gate line 36 Signal line 43 Image memory 50 Shooting unit control unit 51 CPU
55 Shooting control program 56 Display image specification program 57 Transmission control program 70 Console 71 Display unit 73 CPU
74 RAM
75 HDD
82 Shooting preparation program 83 Display control program 90 Radiation irradiation device 100 Radiation image shooting system Y1, Y2 Overlapping part _RA , R _B , _RC Shooting area

Claims (15)

It is a radiation imaging device
A plurality of radiation detection panels, each of which detects the radiation incident through the subject and generates image data of a radiation image, and is juxtaposed in a direction intersecting the incident direction of the radiation.
With respect to the image data of the plurality of radiation images generated by each of the plurality of radiation detection panels, a designation unit for designating the image data of the display target image and the image data of the non-display target image, and
A storage unit that stores the image data of the display target image and the image data of the non-display target image in association with the designated result in the designated unit.
A transmission unit that transmits at least image data of the display target image among the plurality of radiation images to the outside of the radiation image capturing apparatus, and a transmission unit.
Radiation imaging equipment including. The designated portion is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels, and the display target is based on a detection signal from each of the sensors that output a detection signal having a magnitude corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image is designated. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the designation unit designates the display target image based on attribute information indicating the attribute of the subject. The radiation image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the designation unit designates the display target image based on information for designating the display target image supplied from the outside of the radiation imaging apparatus. An external device provided outside the radiation imaging device is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels, and each sensor outputs a detection signal having a magnitude corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation. The presence or absence of a subject on each radiation detection panel is determined based on the detection signal from
The radiation imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the designated unit designates the display target image based on a determination result of the presence or absence of a subject by the external device. When a plurality of images are designated as display target images, the transmission unit derives the transmission order of the image data of the plurality of display target images, and transmits the image data of the plurality of display target images according to the derived transmission order. The radiation imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is sequentially transmitted to the outside of the radiation imaging device. The transmission unit is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels, and the plurality of transmission units are based on detection signals from each of the sensors that output detection signals having a magnitude corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the transmission order of image data of the image to be displayed is derived. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transmission unit derives a transmission order of image data of the plurality of display target images based on attribute information indicating the attributes of the subject. When a plurality of images are designated as display target images, the transmission unit is indicated by information that specifies a transmission order of image data of each of the plurality of display target images supplied from the outside of the radiation imaging apparatus. The radiation image capturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the image data of the plurality of display target images is sequentially transmitted to the outside of the radiation imaging apparatus according to the transmission order. When a plurality of images are designated as display target images, an external device provided outside the radiation imaging device is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of radiation detection panels, and the dose of the irradiated radiation is provided. Based on the detection signals from each of the sensors that output the detection signals of the size corresponding to the above, the transmission order of the image data of the plurality of display target images is derived.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transmission unit sequentially transmits image data of the plurality of display target images to the outside of the radiation imaging device according to a transmission order derived by the external device. Radiation imaging equipment. Each of the plurality of radiation detection panels is arranged so that the adjacent radiation detection panels and the edges of the imaging region capable of generating a radiation image overlap each other.
The transmitting unit transmits image data of an image portion of the non-display target image included in a predetermined range starting from an end adjacent to the display target image to the outside of the radiation imaging apparatus. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
The radiographic imaging device is displayed on the display unit of the display target image represented by the image data received from, except prior Symbol Display target image the indicated by the image data stored in the storage unit if there is a display request A control device having a display control unit that displays the radiation image of the above on the display unit together with the display target image, and
Radiation imaging system including. The radiation image according to claim 12, wherein when the display control unit transmits image data of a plurality of display target images from the radiation image capturing apparatus, the display control unit displays the plurality of display target images on the display unit in the order of receiving the plurality of display target images. Shooting system. The radiation imaging system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the control device erases the image data of the display target image from the storage unit after receiving the image data of the display target image. The radiographic imaging system according to any one of claims 12 to 14, which erases image data stored in the storage unit based on an instruction from the control device.

Images