RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM

• US 20140275954A1
• Filed: 05/29/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: OHTA, Yasunori, NISHINO, Naoyuki, NAKATSUGAWA, Haruyasu, IWAKIRI, Naoto, KITANO, Kouichi
• Granted Patent: US 10,617,304 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00006 of control signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00039 provided with input arrangements for the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00045 Display arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0005 combining images e.g. side-by-side, superimposed or tiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4233 using matrix detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4283 characterised by a detector unit being housed in a cassette
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4405 the apparatus being movable or portable, e.g. handheld or mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4464 the source unit or the detector unit being mounted to ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. graphical user interface, icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/56 Details of data transmission or power supply, e.g. use of slip rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/54 Control of the diagnostic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/56 Details of data transmission or power supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/565 involving data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/20 Design optimisation, verification or simulation optimisation, verification or simulation of circuit designs G06F30/30
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/60 for the operation of medical equipment or devices
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation

Abstract

This radiography system has a switching processing unit that switches the device that controls a radiation source and a radiography device to a control device or a portable apparatus. In a case where penetrative imaging has started, the switching processing unit switches the device that controls the radiation source and the radiography device from the control device to the portable apparatus.

Claims

1. A radiographic image capturing system comprising:

a radiation source for applying radiation to a subject;

a radiographic image capturing apparatus for converting the radiation transmitted through the subject into a radiographic image;

a control apparatus for controlling the radiation source and the radiographic image capturing apparatus, disposed away from the subject;

a mobile apparatus that can be moved close to the subject and can be used instead of the control apparatus for controlling the radiation source and the radiographic image capturing apparatus; and

a switch processing portion for switching between the control apparatus and the mobile apparatus for controlling the radiation source and the radiographic image capturing apparatus.

2. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein

in a case where a fluoroscopic image capturing is started for repeatedly applying the radiation to the subject by the radiation source so as to sequentially acquire the radiographic images by the radiographic image capturing apparatus, the apparatus for controlling the radiation source and the radiographic image capturing apparatus is switched from the control apparatus to the mobile apparatus by the switch processing portion.

3. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 2, wherein

in a case where the fluoroscopic image capturing is ended, the apparatus for controlling the radiation source and the radiographic image capturing apparatus is switched from the mobile apparatus to the control apparatus by the switch processing portion.

4. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 2, wherein

in a case where the fluoroscopic image capturing is interrupted, the mobile apparatus is maintained by the switch processing portion as the apparatus for controlling the radiation source and the radiographic image capturing apparatus.

5. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein

in a case where at least the control apparatus and the mobile apparatus are disposed away from each other, the apparatus for controlling the radiation source and the radiographic image capturing apparatus is switched from the control apparatus to the mobile apparatus by the switch processing portion.

6. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 5, further comprising:

a round cart for carrying at least the control apparatus, the mobile apparatus, and the radiographic image capturing apparatus,

wherein in a case where the mobile apparatus is separated from the round cart, the apparatus for controlling the radiation source and the radiographic image capturing apparatus is switched from the control apparatus to the mobile apparatus by the switch processing portion.

7. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 6, wherein

in or after a step of positioning the subject with respect to the radiation source and the radiographic image capturing apparatus, the apparatus for controlling the radiation source and the radiographic image capturing apparatus is switched from the control apparatus to the mobile apparatus by the switch processing portion.

8. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein

the mobile apparatus contains a touch panel, and an operator operates the touch panel to control the radiation source and the radiographic image capturing apparatus.

9. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein

the mobile apparatus is a tablet computer, a handheld computer, or a personal digital assistant.

10. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein

the mobile apparatus is sealed in a sterilized bag and used in this state.

11. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein

the switch processing portion is formed on at least one of the control apparatus and the mobile apparatus, and

the control apparatus and the mobile apparatus can send signals to and receive signals from each other.

12. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein

the radiographic image capturing apparatus contains a first communication portion for sending signals to and receiving signals from the control apparatus via a wired communication link, a second communication portion for sending signals to and receiving signals from the mobile apparatus via a wireless communication link, and an image processing portion for subjecting the radiographic image to a thinning processing to generate a thinned image,

the first communication portion sends the radiographic image to the control apparatus, and

the second communication portion sends the thinned image to the mobile apparatus.

13. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 12, wherein

the radiographic image capturing apparatus further contains an image storage portion for storing the radiographic image, and

in a case where there is a defect in signal sending and receiving between the first communication portion and the control apparatus via the wired communication link, the image storage portion stores the radiographic image.