JP7733006B2 - Radiation diagnostic device and method for operating the radiation diagnostic device - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed herein relates to a radiological diagnostic device and a method for operating a radiological diagnostic device.

Radiation diagnostic devices are known that irradiate patients with radiation to obtain radiological images. Radiation diagnostic devices are classified into stationary types that are installed in radiography rooms and mobile types that can be moved around medical facilities on wheels. A stationary type radiation diagnostic device, for example, includes a single radiation source that emits radiation and a movement mechanism that moves the position of the radiation source within the radiography room. The movement mechanism allows the radiation source to be moved, for example, between a position corresponding to an upright radiography table and a position corresponding to a supine radiography table.

JP 2020-110234 A describes an autopositioning (hereinafter abbreviated as AP) device in a stationary radiological diagnostic device that automatically moves a radiation source to either a set position corresponding to an upright radiological platform or a set position corresponding to a supine radiological platform by controlling the operation of a movement mechanism. The AP device eliminates the need to manually move the radiation source.

However, imaging tables such as upright and supine imaging tables may become contaminated by bacteria and/or viruses when they come into contact with patients. For this reason, it is desirable to sterilize the imaging tables. However, if sterilization is not carried out efficiently, problems such as a decrease in the operating rate of the radiological diagnostic equipment and long wait times for patients may occur. For this reason, there has been a demand for technology to efficiently sterilize imaging tables.

One embodiment of the technology disclosed herein provides a radiological diagnostic device and a method of operating a radiological diagnostic device that can efficiently sterilize the imaging table.

The radiological diagnostic apparatus disclosed herein comprises an auto-positioning device including a single radiation source that emits radiation, a moving mechanism that moves the position of the radiation source within the radiography room, and an auto-positioning control unit that controls the operation of the moving mechanism to perform an auto-positioning function that automatically moves the radiation source to a set position corresponding to the radiography table installed in the radiography room; an ultraviolet source that emits ultraviolet light and is moved together with the radiation source by the moving mechanism; and an ultraviolet source control unit that causes the ultraviolet source to irradiate ultraviolet light onto the radiography table when the auto-positioning function is performed.

It is preferable that the ultraviolet light source control unit causes the ultraviolet light source to irradiate before the radiation source moves to a set position using the auto-positioning function and emits radiation from the radiation source.

It is preferable that the ultraviolet light source control unit causes the ultraviolet light source to irradiate at least one of the following cases: before radiation is emitted from the radiation source and the radiation source is moved to the set position by the auto-positioning function, and while the radiation source is moving to the set position by the auto-positioning function.

It is preferable that the ultraviolet light source control unit not irradiate with the ultraviolet light source before the current radiation imaging if the patient is the same as the previous radiation imaging and the current radiation imaging, and if the imaging table used for the previous radiation imaging and the current radiation imaging is the same.

It is preferable that the ultraviolet light source control unit changes the sterilization ability of the ultraviolet light depending on the distance between the radiation source and the imaging table. In this case, it is preferable that the ultraviolet light source control unit changes the sterilization ability by changing at least one of the intensity and irradiation time of the ultraviolet light.

It is preferable that the device is equipped with a camera or a motion detection sensor, and the ultraviolet light source control unit does not irradiate the ultraviolet light source when a person is captured in an image captured by the camera or when the motion detection sensor detects a moving object.

The auto-positioning device includes a camera or motion detection sensor that is installed to prevent the auto-positioning function from being performed in an environment where people are present, and it is preferable that the camera or motion detection sensor included in the auto-positioning device be reused.

It is preferable that the ultraviolet light source control unit causes the ultraviolet light source to irradiate when the auto-positioning control unit executes the auto-positioning function in response to instructions from the operator.

It is preferable that the ultraviolet light source control unit causes the ultraviolet light source to irradiate when the auto-positioning control unit executes the auto-positioning function at a predetermined set time.

The radiation source is preferably equipped with an irradiation field limiter that defines the radiation irradiation field, and the ultraviolet light source is preferably provided in the irradiation field limiter.

The method of operating a radiological diagnostic apparatus disclosed herein is a method of operating a radiological diagnostic apparatus equipped with a single radiation source that emits radiation and an auto-positioning device including a movement mechanism that moves the position of the radiation source within a radiological imaging room, and includes controlling the operation of the movement mechanism to execute an auto-positioning function that automatically moves the radiation source to a set position corresponding to an imaging table installed in the radiological imaging room, and, when executing the auto-positioning function, causing an ultraviolet light source that is moved together with the radiation source by the movement mechanism to irradiate ultraviolet light onto the imaging table.

The technology disclosed herein provides a radiological diagnostic device and a method for operating a radiological diagnostic device that can efficiently sterilize the imaging table.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a radiation diagnostic apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing a control device of the radiation diagnostic apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how a radiation irradiation field is defined by an irradiation field limiter. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which visible light representing an irradiation field is emitted from an irradiation field lamp. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the processing units of the CPU of the control device and the console. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing setting position information. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a mode in which the AP function moves the radiation emitting unit to a set position and causes the ultraviolet light source to irradiate ultraviolet light before the radiation source emits radiation. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a manner in which the AP function is stopped when a person appears in an image captured by a camera while the AP function is being executed. 10 is a diagram showing a mode in which the ultraviolet light source stops emitting ultraviolet light when a person is captured in an image captured by a camera while the ultraviolet light source is emitting ultraviolet light. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the control device. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the control device. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which an ultraviolet light source is provided inside an irradiation field limiter. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a mode in which a motion detection sensor detects whether or not there is a person in a radiography room. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a manner in which the AP function is stopped when a moving object detection sensor detects a moving object while the AP function is being executed. 10 is a diagram showing a mode in which, when a moving object detection sensor detects a moving object while the ultraviolet light source is emitting ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light source stops emitting ultraviolet light. FIG. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a mode in which radiation is emitted from a radiation source and an ultraviolet light source is caused to irradiate ultraviolet light before a radiation emitting unit is moved to a set position by an AP function. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a mode in which the ultraviolet light source is caused to irradiate ultraviolet light while the radiation emitting unit is moving to a set position by the AP function. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example in which the aspect shown in FIG. 16 and the aspect shown in FIG. 17 are combined. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment in which, when the patient in the previous and current radiation imaging is the same and the imaging table used in the previous and current radiation imaging is the same, the ultraviolet light source is not irradiated with ultraviolet light before the current radiation imaging. 10 is a table showing the intensity and irradiation time of ultraviolet light according to the distance between the radiation source and the imaging table. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an AP control unit and an ultraviolet light source control unit according to a fourth embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a manner in which an AP control unit causes an ultraviolet light source to irradiate ultraviolet light when the AP control unit executes an AP function at a preset time.

[First embodiment]
As shown in Fig. 1 as an example, a radiological diagnostic apparatus 2 is an apparatus that irradiates a patient P with radiation R such as X-rays or gamma rays to capture a radiological image RI (see Fig. 2) of the patient P, and is operated by an operator such as a radiologist. The radiological diagnostic apparatus 2 is equipped with a radiation irradiation unit 10. The radiation irradiation unit 10 includes a radiation source 11 and an irradiation field limiter 12. The radiation source 11 has a radiation tube 13 that emits radiation R. The irradiation field limiter 12 limits the irradiation field of the radiation R emitted from the radiation tube 13.

The radiation irradiation unit 10 is suspended from the ceiling 16 of the radiography room by a support 15. The support 15 is attached to rails 17 running around the ceiling 16 via a dolly 18. The dolly 18 has a support motor 19 and a dolly motor 20 built in. The support motor 19 enables the support 15 to extend and retract in the height direction, thereby allowing the radiation irradiation unit 10 to move in the height direction. The dolly 18, and therefore the radiation irradiation unit 10, can also be moved horizontally within the radiography room along the rails 17 by the dolly motor 20. The support 15 can also be moved vertically manually. Similarly, the dolly 18 can also be moved horizontally manually.

Furthermore, the radiation irradiation unit 10 is attached to the support 15 via a rotating unit 21. A rotating unit motor 22 is built into the rotating unit 21. The rotating unit 21, and therefore the radiation irradiation unit 10, can be rotated relative to the support 15 by the rotating unit motor 22 around an axis perpendicular to the plane of the paper. The rotating unit 21 can also be rotated manually.

The radiography room is equipped with an upright radiography table 25S and a supine radiography table 25L. The radiation irradiation unit 10 is used for both the upright radiography table 25S and the supine radiography table 25L. The upright radiography table 25S and the supine radiography table 25L are examples of an "radiography table" according to the technology of the present disclosure. Note that, hereinafter, the upright radiography table 25S and the supine radiography table 25L may be collectively referred to as the radiography table 25.

The upright radiography platform 25S and the supine radiography platform 25L house an electronic cassette 26. The electronic cassette 26 is a portable radiation detector with a detection panel housed in a flat, approximately rectangular parallelepiped housing with a rectangular planar shape. The detection panel is configured with an array of pixels that generate signal charges in response to radiation R or visible light converted from radiation R by a scintillator. In addition to the detection panel, the housing also houses a control circuit that controls the operation of the detection panel, a signal processing circuit that converts the pixel signal charges into pixel values and generates a radiographic image RI, and other components. The housing also houses a communication unit that performs wired or wireless communication with the control device 51 (see Figure 2), and a battery that supplies power to each component.

When irradiation of radiation R begins, the control circuit that controls the operation of the detection panel causes the detection panel to perform an accumulation operation to accumulate signal charge in the pixels. When irradiation of radiation R ends, the control circuit causes the detection panel to perform a readout operation to read the accumulated signal charge from the pixels. This causes the detection panel to output a radiological image RI.

The electronic cassette 26 is set on the upright imaging table 25S and the supine imaging table 25L with the front surface of the detection panel facing the radiation irradiation unit 10. Figure 1 illustrates an example of a situation in which a radiographic image RI of the chest of a patient P positioned in front of the upright imaging table 25S is being radiographed. In addition to being housed in the upright imaging table 25S and the supine imaging table 25L, the electronic cassette 26 can also be removed from the upright imaging table 25S or the supine imaging table 25L and held by the patient P in the radiography room, or placed under the patient P lying supine on a bed in a hospital room.

The upright radiography table 25S includes a stand 28, a connection part 29, and a holder 30. The stand 28 is composed of a base 31 placed on the floor of the radiography room and a support post 32 extending vertically from the base 31. The connection part 29 connects the holder 30 to the stand 28. The connection part 29, and therefore the holder 30, can be moved vertically relative to the support post 32, allowing the height to be adjusted according to the height of the patient P or the area to be radiographed.

The holder 30 is box-shaped and houses the electronic cassette 26 inside. The holder 30 is mostly made of a conductive material with electromagnetic wave shielding properties, such as aluminum or stainless steel. In addition, the front surface of the holder 30, which faces the radiation irradiation unit 10, is made of a material that transmits radiation R, such as carbon.

The supine position radiography table 25L includes a base 33, a connection part 34, a top plate 35, and a holder 36, which are installed on the floor of the radiography room. The connection part 34 connects the top plate 35 to the base 33. The base 33 is elevating type, which allows the height of the top plate 35 and holder 36 to be adjusted. The top plate 35 is a rectangular plate with a length and width that allows the patient P to lie supine, and is made of a material that transmits radiation R, such as carbon.

The holder 36 is disposed in the space between the base 33 formed by the connection portion 34 and the top plate 35. The holder 36 is box-shaped, with the top covered by the top plate 35, and houses the electronic cassette 26 inside. The holder 36 is made of a conductive material with electromagnetic wave shielding properties, such as aluminum or stainless steel. The holder 36 can be slid in the direction along the long side of the top plate 35 by a sliding mechanism (not shown).

An ultraviolet light source 38 is attached to the outer surface of the irradiation field limiter 12. The ultraviolet light source 38 irradiates the holder 30 of the upright imaging platform 25S and the top plate 35 of the supine imaging platform 25L with sterilizing ultraviolet light UV. The ultraviolet light source 38 may be a typical ultraviolet lamp using a quartz tube, such as an excimer lamp, or an LED (light-emitting diode) or LD (laser diode). The central wavelength of the ultraviolet light UV is between 200 nm and 280 nm, for example, 254 nm or 222 nm. The intensity of the ultraviolet light UV is constant.

A camera 40 is attached to the ceiling 16. The camera 40 captures almost the entire view of the radiography room. The camera 40 is installed to detect whether or not people such as a patient P or an operator are present in the radiography room.

As an example, as shown in Figure 2, the radiation diagnostic apparatus 2 includes a voltage generator 50, a control device 51, and a console 52.

The voltage generator 50 generates a voltage to be applied to the radiation tube 13. The voltage generator 50 and the radiation tube 13 are connected by a voltage cable. The voltage generated by the voltage generator 50 is supplied to the radiation tube 13 via this voltage cable.

The radiation tube 13 is equipped with, for example, a filament, a target, a grid electrode, etc. (all not shown). A voltage from a voltage generator 50 is applied between the filament, which is the cathode, and the target, which is the anode. The voltage applied between this filament and target is called the tube voltage. The filament emits thermoelectrons toward the target in response to the applied tube voltage. The target emits radiation R due to collisions of the thermoelectrons from the filament. A grid electrode is disposed between the filament and the target. The grid electrode changes the flow rate of thermoelectrons from the filament toward the target in response to the voltage applied from the voltage generator 50. This flow rate of thermoelectrons from the filament toward the target is called the tube current.

The control device 51 controls the operation of the radiation source 11 through the voltage generator 50. The control device 51 acquires the irradiation conditions of radiation R to the patient P from the console 52. The irradiation conditions are the tube voltage applied to the radiation tube 13, the tube current, and the irradiation time of radiation R. Note that instead of the tube current and irradiation time, the product of the tube current and irradiation time, the so-called mAs value, may also be used as the irradiation condition.

The operator inputs an instruction to start irradiating the patient P with radiation R into the control device 51 via the irradiation switch 53. When the instruction to start irradiation is input, the control device 51 operates the voltage generator 50 under the irradiation conditions obtained from the console 52, causing the radiation tube 13 to emit radiation R.

The control device 51 also controls the operation of the electronic cassette 26. The control device 51 causes the detection panel of the electronic cassette 26 to perform a storage operation in synchronization with the start of irradiation of radiation R by the radiation source 11, and causes the detection panel to perform a readout operation in synchronization with the end of irradiation of radiation R by the radiation source 11. The control device 51 also receives the radiation image RI transmitted from the electronic cassette 26. The control device 51 transfers the radiation image RI to the console 52.

The console 52 is, for example, a personal computer. An operator inputs an imaging menu into the console 52. The console 52 transmits irradiation conditions according to the input imaging menu to the control device 51. The console 52 also receives the radiographic image RI transferred from the control device 51, performs image processing on the received radiographic image RI, and displays the processed radiographic image RI on the display 93 (see Figure 5).

The console 52 is communicatively connected to a radiology information system (RIS) via a network such as a local area network (LAN). The console 52 receives imaging orders from the RIS. The imaging orders contain specific details of the radiography to be performed on patient P. The console 52 is also communicatively connected to an image database server via the network. The image database server is, for example, a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) server, which receives radiological images RI from the console 52 and stores and manages the received radiological images RI.

A movement mechanism 55 that moves the position of the radiation irradiation unit 10 within the radiography room is connected to the control device 51. The movement mechanism 55 is composed of the aforementioned support 15 and support motor 19, cart 18 and cart motor 20, rotator 21 and rotator motor 22, and a position detection unit 56. The position detection unit 56 is, for example, a potentiometer provided on each of the support 15, cart 18, and rotator 21, and detects the position of the radiation irradiation unit 10 within the radiography room. The position of the radiation irradiation unit 10 within the radiography room specifically refers to the height position changed by the support 15 and support motor 19, the horizontal position changed by the cart 18 and cart motor 20, and the rotational position changed by the rotator 21 and rotator motor 22.

The control device 51 executes the AP function by controlling the operation of the movement mechanism 55 (pillar motor 19, cart motor 20, and rotating unit motor 22) in response to an AP function execution command from the operator via the remote controller 57. The AP function automatically moves the radiation irradiation unit 10 (radiation source 11) to a set position (see Figure 6) corresponding to the upright radiography platform 25S and the supine radiography platform 25L. This AP function moves the ultraviolet light source 38 together with the radiation source 11.

The control device 51 also controls the operation of the ultraviolet light source 38. When executing the AP function, the control device 51 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV onto the upright imaging platform 25S or the supine imaging platform 25L.

The camera 40 is also connected to the control device 51. The control device 51 controls the operation of the moving mechanism 55 in accordance with the image captured by the camera 40.

3 and 4, the irradiation field limiter 12 has an entrance opening 60 through which radiation R from the radiation tube 13 enters and an exit opening 61 through which radiation R exits. Four shielding plates 62 (only three are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) are provided near the exit opening 61. The shielding plates 62 are made of a material that blocks radiation R, such as lead. The shielding plates 62 are arranged on each side of a rectangle, in other words, arranged in a checkered pattern, forming a rectangular irradiation opening that allows radiation R to pass through. The irradiation field limiter 12 changes the size of the irradiation opening by changing the position of each shielding plate 62, thereby changing the irradiation field of radiation R on the imaging table 25.

The irradiation field limiter 12 is provided with an irradiation field lamp 63 and a mirror 64. The irradiation field lamp 63 emits, for example, orange visible light L toward the mirror 64. The irradiation field lamp 63 turns on and off in response to instructions from the operator. In addition, the irradiation field lamp 63 automatically lights up for a few seconds immediately after the radiation irradiation unit 10 reaches the currently set position using the AP function described below.

As shown in Figure 4, the mirror 64 reflects visible light L. The mirror 64 is made, for example, of an acrylic plate with an aluminum film deposited on it. The visible light L reflected by the mirror 64 is irradiated toward the imaging table 25 through the exit opening 61 as light representing the irradiation field. When irradiating radiation R as shown in Figure 3, the mirror 64 is retracted to a position away from the entrance opening 60 and the exit opening 61. A filter for changing the radiation quality of the radiation R may be provided within the irradiation field limiter 12.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 5, the control device 51 includes a storage 70 and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71. The storage 70 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. The storage 70 stores an operating program 72 and setting position information 73. When the operating program 72 is started, the CPU 71, in cooperation with memory and the like (not shown), functions as an irradiation condition acquisition unit 75, a radiation source control unit 76, a cassette control unit 77, an image transfer unit 78, an AP control unit 79, and an ultraviolet light source control unit 80. The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 includes a measurement unit 81.

The irradiation condition acquisition unit 75 acquires the irradiation conditions transmitted from the console 52. The irradiation condition acquisition unit 75 outputs the acquired irradiation conditions to the radiation source control unit 76.

The radiation source control unit 76 controls the operation of the radiation source 11. The radiation source control unit 76 sets the irradiation conditions from the irradiation condition acquisition unit 75 in the voltage generator 50. When an instruction to start irradiation of radiation R is input via the irradiation switch 53, the radiation source control unit 76 causes the radiation tube 13 to emit radiation R under the set irradiation conditions. The radiation source control unit 76 outputs an irradiation start notification signal to notify the start of irradiation of radiation R and an irradiation end notification signal to notify the end of irradiation of radiation R to the cassette control unit 77.

The cassette control unit 77 controls the operation of the electronic cassette 26. The cassette control unit 77 causes the detection panel of the electronic cassette 26 to perform an accumulation operation in response to an irradiation start notification signal from the radiation source control unit 76. The cassette control unit 77 also causes the detection panel to perform a readout operation in response to an irradiation end notification signal from the radiation source control unit 76. As a result, the cassette control unit 77 causes the detection panel to output a radiographic image RI. The cassette control unit 77 also receives the radiographic image RI transmitted from the electronic cassette 26 and outputs the received radiographic image RI to the image transfer unit 78. The image transfer unit 78 transfers the radiographic image RI from the cassette control unit 77 to the console 52. Note that an electronic cassette 26 that has the function of detecting the start and end of irradiation of radiation R and performs accumulation and readout operations by itself may also be used.

The camera 40, the moving mechanism 55, and the remote controller 57 are connected to the AP control unit 79. The AP control unit 79 uses well-known image recognition technology to detect whether a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40. The AP control unit 79 reads the setting position information 73 from the storage 70. The AP control unit 79 executes the AP function of moving the radiation irradiation unit 10 to the setting position registered in the setting position information 73 by controlling the operation of the moving mechanism 55 in response to an AP function execution instruction from the remote controller 57. The AP control unit 79 also moves the radiation irradiation unit 10 to a home position set in the radiation imaging room when there is time until the next radiation imaging session or when the medical examination is completed. The camera 40, the moving mechanism 55, the remote controller 57, and the AP control unit 79 constitute an AP device 85.

The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 controls the operation of the ultraviolet light source 38. When the AP control unit 79 executes the AP function, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate the imaging table 25 with ultraviolet light UV. The measurement unit 81 measures the elapsed time from when the ultraviolet light source 38 starts irradiating ultraviolet light UV.

The console 52 includes a storage 90, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, input devices 92 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display 93. The storage 90 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. An operating program 94 and an irradiation condition table 95 are stored in the storage 90. When the operating program 94 is started, the CPU 91, in cooperation with memory and the like (not shown), functions as an imaging menu reception unit 100, an irradiation condition setting unit 101, an image processing unit 102, and a display control unit 103.

Prior to radiography, the display control unit 103 displays a list of radiography orders from the RIS on the display 93. The operator views the list of radiography orders and confirms the contents. The display control unit 103 displays multiple pre-prepared radiography menus on the display 93 in a format that allows for selection of one option, along with the radiography orders. The operator operates the input device 92 to select and input the radiography menu that matches the contents of the radiography order. This causes the radiography menu reception unit 100 to receive the radiography menu. The radiography menu reception unit 100 outputs the received radiography menu to the irradiation condition setting unit 101. The radiography menu reception unit 100 also outputs the received radiography menu to the AP control unit 79 of the control device 51.

The irradiation condition setting unit 101 reads the irradiation conditions corresponding to the imaging menu from the irradiation condition table 95 and transmits the read irradiation conditions to the control device 51. The irradiation condition table 95 is a table in which irradiation conditions are registered for each imaging menu. An imaging menu is a combination of imaging areas such as the chest or abdomen, imaging positions such as standing or lying down, and imaging directions such as front or back (see Figure 6). Note that the irradiation conditions can be modified via the input device 92 before being transmitted to the control device 51.

The image processing unit 102 performs various image processing on the radiation image RI from the control device 51. The image processing performed by the image processing unit 102 includes, for example, offset correction processing, sensitivity correction processing, and defective pixel correction processing.

Offset correction processing is a process in which an offset correction image output without radiation R irradiation is subtracted from the radiation image RI on a pixel-by-pixel basis. By performing this offset correction processing, the image processing unit 102 removes fixed pattern noise caused by dark charge, etc. from the radiation image RI. Sensitivity correction processing is a process in which, based on sensitivity correction data, variations in the sensitivity of each pixel of the detection panel of the electronic cassette 26 and variations in the output characteristics of the circuit that reads out signal charge are corrected. Defective pixel correction processing is a process in which, based on information about defective pixels with abnormal pixel values generated at the time of shipment or during periodic inspection, the pixel values of defective pixels are linearly interpolated with the pixel values of surrounding normal pixels. The image processing unit 102 outputs the radiation image RI that has been subjected to these various image processing processes to the display control unit 103. The display control unit 103 displays the radiation image RI from the image processing unit 102 on the display 93.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 6, the setting position information 73 registers a setting position for each imaging menu. The setting position is the height, horizontal, and rotational position of the radiation irradiation unit 10 in the radiation imaging room. The height position is represented by the length of the support 15 and the cart 18, in other words, the distance from the ceiling 16 to the radiation irradiation unit 10. The horizontal position is represented by XY coordinates of the distance with the reference point in the radiation imaging room (e.g., the home position) as the origin. The rotational position is represented by the angle of the radiation irradiation unit 10. The angle of the radiation irradiation unit 10 toward the upright imaging table 25S shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 is 0°, and the angle toward the supine imaging table 25L shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1 is 90°.

The set position is the distance from the point (focal point) where radiation R is emitted at the target of the radiation tube 13 to the surface of the detection panel of the electronic cassette 26 housed in the imaging table 25, i.e., the position corresponding to the SID (Source to Image Receptor Distance). The SID is set to a predetermined value depending on the imaging menu, such as 100 cm when the imaging menu is "Chest, Standing, Front," or 180 cm when the imaging menu is "Leg, Standing, Front."

As an example, as shown in FIG. 7, the AP control unit 79 executes the AP function when the operator operates the remote controller 57 and inputs an instruction to execute the AP function from the remote controller 57. More specifically, the AP control unit 79 moves the radiation irradiation unit 10 from the setting position corresponding to the imaging menu of the previous radiation imaging to the setting position corresponding to the imaging menu of the current radiation imaging.

The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light (UV) immediately after the radiation irradiation unit 10 moves to a set position corresponding to the imaging menu for the current radiation imaging operation using the AP function. This sterilizes the imaging table 25 used for the current radiation imaging operation using ultraviolet light (UV). The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light (UV) when the elapsed time measured by the measurement unit 81 from the start of ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation reaches a predetermined first set time TS1. The first set time TS1 varies depending on the intensity of the ultraviolet light (UV) and the type of bacteria and/or viruses to be sterilized, but is generally several seconds to several tens of minutes. For example, it has been reported that the novel coronavirus (SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) - CoV (Coronavirus)-2) can be inactivated by irradiation with ultraviolet light (UV) for several seconds. More specifically, it has been reported that 99.7% of viruses are inactivated by 30 seconds of UV light with a central wavelength of 222 nm and an intensity of 1 W/ ^m² (https://xtech.nikkei.com/atcl/nxt/news/18/08672/). It has also been reported that 99.9% of viruses are inactivated by 10 to 15 seconds of UV light with a central wavelength of 254 nm (https://robotstart.info/2020/09/10/uvbuster-covid19.html).

The operator waits until the first set time TS1 has elapsed and irradiation of ultraviolet light UV has stopped, then operates the irradiation switch 53 to input an instruction to start irradiating radiation R to the patient P. The radiation source control unit 76 causes the radiation tube 13 to emit radiation R. In other words, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the radiation irradiator 10 to move to the set position using the AP function, and causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV before radiation R is emitted from the radiation source 11.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 8, if a person appears in the image captured by camera 40 while the AP function is being executed, the AP control unit 79 stops the AP function. The AP control unit 79 stops the AP function while a person appears in the captured image. The AP control unit 79 resumes execution of the AP function when the person is no longer in the captured image. Furthermore, when starting execution of the AP function, if a person appears in the image captured by camera 40, the AP control unit 79 does not execute the AP function. In other words, the camera 40 is provided in the AP device 85 so as not to execute the AP function in an environment where a person is present. Here, "a person appears" includes not only when the entire person's body is captured, but also when only part of the person's body is captured.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 9, if a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 while the ultraviolet light source 38 is irradiating ultraviolet light (UV), the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light (UV). The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 stops irradiating ultraviolet light (UV) while a person is captured in the captured image. The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 resumes irradiating ultraviolet light (UV) when the person is no longer captured in the captured image. Furthermore, when the AP function causes the radiation irradiator 10 to move to a set position corresponding to the imaging menu for this radiation imaging and causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to start irradiating ultraviolet light (UV), if a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 does not instruct the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light (UV) or outputs a signal to prohibit the ultraviolet light source 38 from irradiating ultraviolet light (UV). In other words, the camera 40 is used to prevent ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation in an environment where people are present.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figures 10 and 11. As shown in Figure 5, when the operating program 72 is started, the CPU 71 of the control device 51 functions as an irradiation condition acquisition unit 75, a radiation source control unit 76, a cassette control unit 77, an image transfer unit 78, an AP control unit 79, and an ultraviolet light source control unit 80. The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 includes a measurement unit 81. Furthermore, when the operating program 94 is started, the CPU 91 of the console 52 functions as an imaging menu acceptance unit 100, an irradiation condition setting unit 101, an image processing unit 102, and a display control unit 103.

The procedure for radiography using the radiological diagnostic device 2 begins with the radiography preparation work. The radiography preparation work is performed by the operator. Specifically, the radiography preparation work includes the work of setting irradiation conditions and the work of positioning the patient P, etc. After completing the radiography preparation work, the operator operates the irradiation switch 53 to issue an instruction to start irradiating radiation R.

To set the irradiation conditions, the operator operates the input device 92 to input an imaging menu corresponding to the imaging order from the RIS. The imaging menu is received by the imaging menu receiving unit 100. The irradiation conditions corresponding to the imaging menu received by the imaging menu receiving unit 100 are then read from the irradiation condition table 95 by the irradiation condition setting unit 101. The irradiation conditions are transmitted from the irradiation condition setting unit 101 to the control device 51.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 10, after entering the imaging menu, the operator operates the remote controller 57. This causes the remote controller 57 to issue an AP function execution instruction. The AP function execution instruction is received by the AP control unit 79 (YES in step ST100). The AP control unit 79 then controls the operation of the support motor 19, the cart motor 20, and the rotation motor 22 of the movement mechanism 55, and executes the AP function to move the radiation irradiator 10 from the previous setting position to the current setting position, as shown in FIG. 7 (step ST110). In other words, the radiation irradiator 10 moves from the previous setting position to the current setting position. If the position detection unit 56 detects that the radiation irradiator 10 has reached the current setting position (YES in step ST120), the AP control unit 79 stops the AP function (step ST130). In other words, the movement of the radiation irradiator 10 is stopped.

The interior of the radiography room is photographed by a camera 40 mounted on the ceiling 16. If a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 while the AP function is being executed (NO in step ST120, YES in step ST140), the AP function is stopped by the AP control unit 79 (step ST150), as shown in FIG. 8. The AP function remains stopped while a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 (YES in step ST160). If a person is no longer captured in the image captured by the camera 40 (NO in step ST160), the AP control unit 79 resumes execution of the AP function (step ST110). Note that if a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 when execution of the AP function is started, the AP function is not executed.

As an example, as shown in Figure 11, when the execution of the AP function causes the radiation irradiation unit 10 to reach the current set position (YES in step ST200), as shown in Figure 7, ultraviolet light UV is irradiated by the ultraviolet light source 38 under the control of the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 (step ST210).

The measuring unit 81 measures the elapsed time from the start of ultraviolet light UV irradiation (step ST220). If the elapsed time reaches the first set time TS1 (YES in step ST230), ultraviolet light UV irradiation by the ultraviolet light source 38 is stopped under the control of the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 (step ST240).

If a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 while ultraviolet rays UV are being emitted (NO in step ST230, YES in step ST250), as shown in FIG. 9, ultraviolet rays UV emission by the ultraviolet source 38 is stopped under the control of the ultraviolet source control unit 80 (step ST260). As long as a person is captured in the captured image (YES in step ST270), ultraviolet rays UV emission continues to be stopped. When a person is no longer captured in the captured image (NO in step ST270), ultraviolet rays UV emission by the ultraviolet source 38 is resumed under the control of the ultraviolet source control unit 80 (step ST210). Note that if a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 when the AP function moves the radiation irradiator 10 to a setting position corresponding to the imaging menu for this radiation imaging and causes the ultraviolet source 38 to start irradiating ultraviolet rays UV, ultraviolet rays UV emission by the ultraviolet source 38 will not be performed.

After the first set time TS1 has elapsed and the irradiation of ultraviolet light UV has stopped, the operator has the patient P enter the radiography room and have the patient P stand in front of the upright radiography table 25S or lie supine on the top plate 35 of the supine radiography table 25L. The operator also adjusts the position of the holder 30 or holder 36 to perform positioning.

In the control device 51, the irradiation condition acquisition unit 75 acquires the irradiation conditions from the console 52. The irradiation conditions are output from the irradiation condition acquisition unit 75 to the radiation source control unit 76, and are set in the voltage generator 50 by the radiation source control unit 76.

When an instruction to start irradiating radiation R is input via the irradiation switch 53, radiation R is irradiated from the radiation tube 13 toward the patient P under the control of the radiation source control unit 76. As a result, a radiological image RI is output from the electronic cassette 26 under the control of the cassette control unit 77. The radiological image RI is output from the electronic cassette 26 to the cassette control unit 77, and further output from the cassette control unit 77 to the image transfer unit 78. The radiological image RI is transferred to the console 52 by the image transfer unit 78.

In the console 52, the image processing unit 102 performs various image processing on the radiation image RI. The radiation image RI that has undergone various image processing is output from the image processing unit 102 to the display control unit 103. Then, under the control of the display control unit 103, it is displayed on the display 93 and made available for viewing by the operator.

As described above, the radiological diagnostic apparatus 2 comprises a radiation source 11 that emits radiation R; an AP device 85 that includes a movement mechanism 55 that moves the position of the radiation source 11 within the radiography room and an AP control unit 79 that executes an AP function that automatically moves the radiation source 11 to a set position corresponding to the radiography table 25 installed in the radiography room by controlling the operation of the movement mechanism 55; an ultraviolet light source 38 that emits ultraviolet light UV and is moved together with the radiation source 11 by the movement mechanism 55; and an ultraviolet light source control unit 80 that causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate the radiography table 25 with ultraviolet light UV when the AP function is executed. This makes it possible to sterilize the radiography table 25 more efficiently than when ultraviolet light UV is irradiated without linking with the AP function.

The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV before the radiation source 11 moves to the set position using the AP function and emits radiation R from the radiation source 11. This ensures that the imaging table 25 to be used for radiography can be sterilized with ultraviolet light UV. This greatly reduces the risk of infection from bacteria and/or viruses that may have adhered to the imaging table 25 due to contact with the patient P.

When a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to stop emitting ultraviolet light UV. This prevents ultraviolet light UV from being irradiated onto people.

Camera 40 is installed in AP device 85 to prevent AP functions from being performed in environments where people are present. Camera 40 is also used to prevent ultraviolet UV radiation from being emitted in environments where people are present. This allows existing equipment to be utilized, and prevents increases in device costs.

When the AP control unit 79 executes the AP function in response to an instruction from the operator, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV. The operator instructs the execution of the AP function exactly when radiography is about to be performed. This allows sterilization by ultraviolet light UV to be performed at the appropriate time.

The ultraviolet light source 38 is provided on the outer surface of the irradiation field limiter 12. This allows ultraviolet light UV to be efficiently irradiated onto the imaging table 25.

The location where the ultraviolet light source 38 is provided is not limited to the outer surface of the irradiation field limiter 12. As an example, as shown in FIG. 12, the ultraviolet light source 38 may be provided inside the irradiation field limiter 12. More specifically, the ultraviolet light source 38 is provided alongside the irradiation field lamp 63. The ultraviolet light UV emitted from the ultraviolet light source 38 is reflected by the mirror 64, just like the visible light L emitted from the irradiation field lamp 63, and is irradiated towards the imaging table 25 through the exit opening 61. At this time, the shielding plate 62 is moved to a position where the size of the irradiation opening is maximized so that the irradiation range of the ultraviolet light UV is maximized.

In this way, by locating the ultraviolet light source 38 inside the irradiation field limiter 12, it is out of reach of the patient P and the operator, and there is no risk of it being damaged by a collision. Furthermore, by locating the ultraviolet light source 38 alongside the irradiation field lamp 63, ultraviolet light UV can be emitted using the same mechanism as visible light L from the irradiation field lamp 63. However, since it is necessary to move the shielding plate 62 to a position where the irradiation opening size is at its largest, it is preferable to locate the ultraviolet light source 38 on the exterior of the irradiation field limiter 12, as this eliminates the need for such control.

The location where the ultraviolet light source 38 is installed is not limited to the exterior or interior of the irradiation field limiter 12, and the number of ultraviolet light sources 38 installed is not limited to one. For example, it may be installed on the exterior of the radiation source 11, or on the support 15. In short, it can be installed anywhere as long as it is possible to irradiate the imaging table 25 with ultraviolet light UV. The ultraviolet light source 38 may also be equipped with a swivel function, allowing a single unit to cover a wide irradiation range.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 13, instead of the camera 40, a motion detection sensor 110 may be used to detect whether or not a person is present in the radiography room. The motion detection sensor 110 is a sensor that detects moving objects using changes in infrared rays, changes in reflected ultrasound, or the blocking of visible light, and is generally called a human presence sensor. The motion detection sensor 110 is attached to the ceiling 16, for example, like the camera 40, and together with the AP control unit 79 and the like, constitutes the AP device 112. The motion detection sensor 110 detects moving objects in the radiography room. When the motion detection sensor 110 detects a moving object, it outputs a signal to that effect to the AP control unit 79.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 14, if the motion detection sensor 110 detects a moving object while the AP function is being executed, the AP control unit 79 stops the AP function. The AP control unit 79 stops the AP function while the motion detection sensor 110 is detecting a moving object. The AP control unit 79 resumes execution of the AP function when the motion detection sensor 110 no longer detects a moving object. Furthermore, if the motion detection sensor 110 detects a moving object when starting execution of the AP function, the AP control unit 79 does not execute the AP function.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 15, if the motion detection sensor 110 detects a moving object while the ultraviolet light source 38 is irradiating ultraviolet light UV, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light UV. The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 stops irradiating ultraviolet light UV while the motion detection sensor 110 is detecting a moving object. The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 resumes irradiating ultraviolet light UV when the motion detection sensor 110 no longer detects a moving object. Furthermore, if the motion detection sensor 110 detects a moving object when the AP function causes the radiation irradiator 10 to move to a set position corresponding to the imaging menu for this radiography and the ultraviolet light source 38 is to start irradiating ultraviolet light UV, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 outputs a signal not to instruct the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV or to prohibit the ultraviolet light source 38 from irradiating ultraviolet light UV.

In this way, when the motion detection sensor 110 detects a moving object, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to stop emitting ultraviolet light UV. Therefore, as with the case of using the camera 40, it is possible to prevent ultraviolet light UV from being irradiated onto people. Furthermore, the motion detection sensor 110 is provided in the AP device 112 to prevent the AP function from being executed in an environment where people are present. The motion detection sensor 110 is then used to prevent ultraviolet light UV from being irradiated in an environment where people are present. Therefore, as with the case of using the camera 40, existing equipment can be utilized, thereby minimizing increases in device costs. Furthermore, the motion detection sensor 110 is less expensive than the camera 40, and with the motion detection sensor 110, it is not necessary to analyze captured images to determine whether or not a person is present, as with the camera 40.

In place of or in addition to the mode in which the AP function moves the radiation source 11 to a set position and causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV before the radiation R is emitted from the radiation source 11, the following mode may be implemented.

16, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV after radiation R is emitted from the radiation source 11 and before the radiation irradiator 10 moves to a set position using the AP function. Specifically, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to start irradiating ultraviolet light UV after a preset second set time TS2 has elapsed since radiation R was emitted from the radiation source 11 during the previous radiography. The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 then causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV for a preset third set time TS3. The operator waits until the third set time TS3 has elapsed and ultraviolet light UV irradiation has stopped, and then operates the remote controller 57 to input an AP function execution instruction for the current radiography.

The second set time TS2 is set to the average time (e.g., 3 minutes) required for patient P to leave the radiography room after the previous radiography session. The third set time TS3, like the first set time TS1, is set to a time sufficient to sterilize bacteria and/or viruses.

In this way, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 may cause the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV after the radiation R is emitted from the radiation source 11 and before the radiation irradiation unit 10 moves to the set position using the AP function. This allows the imaging table 25, which was used in the previous radiography and may have bacteria and/or viruses attached, to be sterilized with ultraviolet light UV. This further reduces the risk of infection by bacteria and/or viruses.

Note that in the previous radiography, radiation R was emitted from the radiation source 11, and after the second set time TS2 had elapsed, the ultraviolet light source 38 was caused to start irradiating ultraviolet light UV, but this is not limited to this. After the previous radiography was completed, if the camera 40 or the motion detection sensor 110 detected that no one was in the radiography room, the ultraviolet light source 38 may be caused to start irradiating ultraviolet light UV.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 17, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV while the radiation irradiator 10 is moving to the set position by the AP function. Specifically, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to start irradiating ultraviolet light UV when an instruction to execute the AP function is input from the remote controller 57. Then, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 continues irradiating ultraviolet light UV while the AP function is being executed. Furthermore, similar to the example shown in FIG. 7, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light UV when the ultraviolet light UV irradiation time since the radiation irradiator 10 moved to the current set position by the AP function reaches the first set time TS1.

In this way, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 may cause the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV while the radiation irradiation unit 10 is moving to a set position using the AP function. This allows sterilization with ultraviolet light UV not only of the holder 30 of the upright imaging platform 25S and the top plate 35 of the supine imaging platform 25L, but also of the stand 28 of the upright imaging platform 25S, the base 33 of the supine imaging platform 25L, or the floor of the radiography room, etc. This further reduces the risk of bacterial and/or viral infection.

Figure 18 shows an example in which the configuration shown in Figure 16, in which radiation R is emitted from the radiation source 11 and the ultraviolet light source 38 is caused to irradiate ultraviolet light UV before the radiation irradiator 10 is moved to the set position by the AP function, is combined with the configuration shown in Figure 17, in which the ultraviolet light source 38 is caused to irradiate ultraviolet light UV while the radiation irradiator 10 is being moved to the set position by the AP function. This makes it possible to achieve the combined effects of the configuration shown in Figure 16 and the configuration shown in Figure 17.

16 to 18, the AP control unit 79 does not execute the AP function when a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 or when the motion detection sensor 110 detects a moving object. Furthermore, when a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 or when the motion detection sensor 110 detects a moving object, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 does not instruct the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV or outputs a signal to the ultraviolet light source 38 to prohibit ultraviolet light UV irradiation.

Second Embodiment
19 as an example, in the second embodiment, if the patient P for the previous radiation imaging and the current radiation imaging are the same and the imaging table 25 used for the previous radiation imaging are the same, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 does not instruct the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV before the current radiation imaging, or outputs a signal to the ultraviolet light source 38 to prohibit irradiation of ultraviolet light UV. In this manner, if the patient P for the previous radiation imaging and the current radiation imaging are the same and the imaging table 25 used for the previous radiation imaging and the current radiation imaging are the same, irradiation of ultraviolet light UV by the ultraviolet light source 38 is not performed before the current radiation imaging. FIG. 19 illustrates a case where the patient ID (Identification Data) of the patient P for the previous radiation imaging and the current radiation imaging are the same as "P0001", the imaging posture in the imaging menu for the previous radiation imaging and the current radiation imaging are set to "standing", and the standing imaging table 25S is used for both.

If the patient P in the previous and current radiation imaging is the same, and the imaging table 25 used in the previous and current radiation imaging is the same, there is no risk of bacterial and/or viral infection from the other patient P. In such a case, if ultraviolet light UV irradiation from the ultraviolet light source 38 is not performed before the current radiation imaging, meaningless ultraviolet light UV irradiation can be avoided. The time and power consumption required for ultraviolet light UV irradiation can be saved.

[Third embodiment]
In the third embodiment shown in Fig. 20, the sterilization ability of ultraviolet light UV is changed depending on the distance between the radiation source 11 and the imaging table 25. Here, the distance between the radiation source 11 and the imaging table 25 is specifically the SID.

As an example, as shown in Table 115 of FIG. 20 , the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 changes the ultraviolet light UV intensity and irradiation time to change the sterilization ability of the ultraviolet light UV according to the SID. More specifically, as the SID increases, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 increases the ultraviolet light UV intensity and lengthens the irradiation time. For example, when the SID is 80 cm, the ultraviolet light UV intensity is set to 15 W/m ² and the irradiation time is set to 3 minutes. On the other hand, when the SID is 180 cm, the ultraviolet light UV intensity is set to 40 W/m ² and the irradiation time is set to 8 minutes. The irradiation time is the time set as the first set time TS1 or the third set time TS3. The ultraviolet light UV intensity is changed by increasing or decreasing the applied voltage and/or current to the ultraviolet light source 38.

In this way, in the third embodiment, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 changes the sterilization ability of the ultraviolet light UV according to the distance between the radiation source 11 and the imaging table 25. Specifically, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 changes the sterilization ability of the ultraviolet light UV by changing the intensity and irradiation time of the ultraviolet light UV. Therefore, sterilization can be performed according to the distance between the radiation source 11 and the imaging table 25.

While an example has been shown in which both the intensity and irradiation time of ultraviolet light UV are changed, it is sufficient to change at least one of the intensity and irradiation time of ultraviolet light UV. Furthermore, the sterilization ability of ultraviolet light UV may be changed by changing the wavelength of ultraviolet light UV, such as by irradiating ultraviolet light UV with a central wavelength of 254 nm, which has a relatively high sterilization ability, when the distance between the radiation source 11 and the imaging table 25 is long, and irradiating ultraviolet light UV with a central wavelength of 222 nm, which has a relatively low sterilization ability, when the distance between the radiation source 11 and the imaging table 25 is short.

[Fourth embodiment]
In the above-described embodiments, the ultraviolet light source 38 is caused to irradiate ultraviolet light UV when the AP control unit 79 executes the AP function in response to an instruction from an operator, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. As in a fourth embodiment shown in Figures 21 and 22, the ultraviolet light source 38 may be caused to irradiate ultraviolet light UV when the AP control unit 79 executes the AP function at a preset time.

As an example, as shown in Figure 21, set time information 120 is input to the AP control unit 79 of the fourth embodiment. The set time information 120 is stored in the storage 70. A pre-set set time is registered in the set time information 120. The set time is the time at which the AP control unit 79 automatically executes the AP function without waiting for instructions from the operator. The set time is set by the operator or an administrator of the medical facility. The AP control unit 79 executes the AP function at the set time registered in the set time information 120. Figure 21 shows an example in which the set times are "09:00", the start time of morning clinic hours at the medical facility, "13:00", the start time of afternoon clinic hours, and "17:00", the end time of afternoon clinic hours.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 22, at a set time, the AP control unit 79 moves the radiation irradiator 10, for example, from a home position defined in the radiography room to a position facing the holder 30 of the upright radiography table 25S. The AP control unit 79 then moves the radiation irradiator 10 to a position facing the top plate 35 of the supine radiography table 25L, and finally returns it to the original home position. When the AP control unit 79 executes the AP function at the set time, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV.

In this way, in the fourth embodiment, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV when the AP control unit 79 executes the AP function at a preset time. This allows sterilization to be performed at times when sterilization is particularly necessary, such as the start of medical treatment.

If a person enters the radiography room while the ultraviolet light source 38 is irradiating ultraviolet light UV and the ultraviolet light source 38 stops irradiating ultraviolet light UV, if it takes a certain amount of time (e.g., three minutes) for the person to leave the radiography room, the ultraviolet light irradiation by the ultraviolet light source 38 does not need to be resumed. In this case, since there is a risk that sterilization by ultraviolet light UV may not be sufficient, a warning screen containing a message indicating that ultraviolet light UV irradiation has been interrupted may be displayed on the display 93 of the console 52.

As described in paragraphs [0028] to [0031] and Figures 7 and 8 of Japanese Patent No. 6306097, ultraviolet light UV with a central wavelength of 222 nm has less impact on the human body than ultraviolet light UV with a central wavelength of 254 nm. Therefore, when irradiating ultraviolet light UV with a central wavelength of 222 nm, it is not necessary to stop irradiating ultraviolet light UV from the ultraviolet light source 38 even if a person enters the radiography room.

A switch may be provided to turn the power to the ultraviolet light source 38 on and off, and the ultraviolet light source 38 may be manually operated by an operator to irradiate ultraviolet light UV.

The ultraviolet light source 38 may emit ultraviolet light UV continuously or in pulses. When emitting ultraviolet light UV in pulses, the intensity change in the third embodiment described above is achieved by changing the pulse duty ratio.

Although the upright position imaging table 25S and the lying position imaging table 25L have been exemplified as imaging tables 25, this is not limitative. At least one of the upright position imaging table 25S and the lying position imaging table 25L may be provided.

An example has been shown in which an instruction to execute an AP function is issued to the AP control unit 79 by operating the remote controller 57, but this is not limited to this. When a shooting menu is input via the input device 92 of the console 52, an instruction to execute an AP function may also be issued to the AP control unit 79.

The irradiation range of ultraviolet light UV may be changed depending on the area to be photographed, such as irradiating the entire surface of the holder 30 of the standing photography stand 25S with ultraviolet light UV if the area to be photographed is the chest, or irradiating only the central part of the holder 30 with ultraviolet light UV if the area to be photographed is one ankle.

Instead of the electronic cassette 26, a CR (Computed Radiography) cassette in which the imaging plate is housed in a portable housing may be used.

In the above embodiments, the radiation irradiation unit 10 is suspended from the ceiling 16 of the radiography room by a support 15, a so-called ceiling-suspended type, but this is not limited to this. It is also possible to use a system in which rails are installed on the floor of the radiography room and the radiation irradiation unit 10 is attached to the tip of a support extending vertically from the floor.

In each of the above embodiments, the hardware structure of the processing unit that performs various processes, such as the irradiation condition acquisition unit 75, radiation source control unit 76, cassette control unit 77, image transfer unit 78, AP control unit 79, ultraviolet light source control unit 80, measurement unit 81, shooting menu reception unit 100, irradiation condition setting unit 101, image processing unit 102, and display control unit 103, can use the various processors listed below. As described above, the various processors include the CPUs 71 and 91, which are general-purpose processors that execute software (operating programs 72 and 94) and function as various processing units, as well as programmable logic devices (PLDs) that are processors whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, such as FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), and dedicated electrical circuits that are processors having a circuit configuration designed specifically for executing specific processing, such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits).

A single processing unit may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., a combination of multiple FPGAs and/or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Also, multiple processing units may be configured with a single processor.

Examples of configuring multiple processing units with a single processor include, first, a configuration where one processor is configured with a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as multiple processing units, as is typical of client and server computers. Second, a configuration where a processor is used to realize the functions of the entire system, including multiple processing units, on a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, as is typical of systems on chips (SoCs). In this way, the various processing units are configured as a hardware structure using one or more of the various processors listed above.

Furthermore, the hardware structure of these various processors can be, more specifically, an electrical circuit (circuitry) that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

The technology disclosed herein can be implemented by appropriately combining the various embodiments and/or variations described above. Furthermore, it is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, multiple electronic cassettes 26 may be provided in a radiography room.

The above-described description and illustrations are a detailed explanation of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure and are merely an example of the technology of the present disclosure. For example, the above description of the configuration, functions, actions, and effects is an explanation of an example of the configuration, functions, actions, and effects of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, it goes without saying that unnecessary parts may be deleted, new elements may be added, or substitutions may be made to the above-described description and illustrations, as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the technology of the present disclosure. Furthermore, to avoid confusion and facilitate understanding of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure, the above-described description and illustrations omit explanations of common technical knowledge that do not require particular explanation to enable the implementation of the technology of the present disclosure.

In this specification, "A and/or B" is synonymous with "at least one of A and B." In other words, "A and/or B" means that it could be just A, just B, or a combination of A and B. Furthermore, in this specification, the same concept as "A and/or B" applies when three or more things are expressed connected by "and/or."

All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are incorporated by reference herein to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims (12)

one radiation source that emits radiation;
an auto-positioning device including a moving mechanism that moves the position of the radiation source in a radiography room, and an auto-positioning control unit that controls the operation of the moving mechanism to execute an auto-positioning function of automatically moving the radiation source to a set position corresponding to an imaging table installed in the radiography room and from which radiation will be emitted in radiography to be performed;
an ultraviolet light source that emits ultraviolet light and is moved together with the radiation source by the moving mechanism;
an ultraviolet light source control unit that causes the ultraviolet light source to irradiate the imaging table with the ultraviolet light when the auto-positioning function is executed;
A radiological diagnostic apparatus comprising: The radiological diagnostic device of claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light source control unit causes the ultraviolet light source to perform the irradiation before the radiation source moves to the set position using the auto-positioning function and emits the radiation. The radiological diagnostic device of claim 2, wherein the ultraviolet light source control unit controls the ultraviolet light source to irradiate the radiation at least one of before the radiation source is emitted and before the radiation source is moved to the set position by the autopositioning function and while the radiation source is being moved to the set position by the autopositioning function. A radiological diagnostic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein if the patient in the previous and current radiological imaging is the same, and the imaging table used in the previous and current radiological imaging is the same, irradiation with the ultraviolet light source is not performed before the current radiological imaging. The radiological diagnostic device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ultraviolet light source control unit changes the sterilizing ability of the ultraviolet light depending on the distance between the radiation source and the imaging table. The radiological diagnostic device of claim 5, wherein the ultraviolet light source control unit changes the sterilization capability by changing at least one of the intensity and irradiation time of the ultraviolet light. Equipped with a camera or motion detection sensor,
7. The radiation diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation by the ultraviolet light source is not performed when a person is captured in the image captured by the camera or when the motion detection sensor detects a moving object. the auto-positioning device includes a camera or a motion detection sensor provided to prevent the auto-positioning function from being executed in an environment where people are present;
The radiological diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the camera or the motion detection sensor included in the auto-positioning device is used. The radiological diagnostic apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the ultraviolet light source control unit causes the ultraviolet light source to perform the irradiation when the autopositioning control unit executes the autopositioning function in response to an instruction from an operator. A radiological diagnostic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the ultraviolet light source control unit causes the ultraviolet light source to perform the irradiation when the auto-positioning control unit executes the auto-positioning function at a preset time. an irradiation field limiter that defines an irradiation field of the radiation is attached to the radiation source;
11. The radiological diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light source is provided in the irradiation field limiter. 1. A method for operating a radiological diagnostic apparatus including a radiation source that emits radiation and an autopositioning device including a movement mechanism that moves the position of the radiation source in a radiography room, the method comprising:
executing an auto-positioning function of automatically moving the radiation source to a set position corresponding to an imaging table installed in the radiography room and from which the radiation will be emitted in radiography to be performed, by controlling the operation of the moving mechanism; and
when the auto-positioning function is executed, irradiating the imaging table with ultraviolet rays from an ultraviolet source moved together with the radiation source by the moving mechanism;
A method for operating a radiological diagnostic apparatus, comprising: