Radiation detection apparatus and radiation image capturing system

• US 8,330,597 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2009
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Nishino, Naoyuki, Kito, Eiichi, Ohta, Yasunori, Tamaoki, Hiroshi, Iiyama, Tatsuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wang, Jack K
• Application Number:
  US12/320,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20090189761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 378/117, 250/370.01
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0271 using a remote monitoring unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/00 Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment instruments measuring radiation intensity for application in the field of nuclear medicine, e.g. in vivo counting, G01T1/161; apparatus for taking X-ray photographs G03B42/02
• 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 6/4291 the detector being combined with a grid or grating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4488 Means for cooling A61B6/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/542 involving control of exposure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/545 involving automatic set-up of acquisition parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/56 Details of data transmission or power supply, e.g. use of slip rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/566 involving communication between diagnostic systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/586 Detection of faults or malfunction of the device
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 42/04 Holders for X-ray films

Abstract

A radiation detection apparatus and a radiation image capturing system according to the present invention includes an electronic cassette equipped with a casing, and a radiation detection device accommodated inside the casing, which detects radiation emitted from a radiation source and having passed through a subject, while converting the radiation into radiation image information. The electronic cassette includes a sensor for sensing that the casing has been lifted, a power supply controller for supplying power based on a detection signal from the sensor, a discriminating unit for discriminating whether the radiation detection apparatus has transitioned to an image capturing capable mode, and a warning signal output unit for outputting a warning signal, for issuing a warning when the radiation detection apparatus cannot transition to the image capturing capable mode.

Claims

1. A radiation detection apparatus including a casing, radiation detection device accommodated inside the casing, which detects radiation emitted from a radiation source and having passed through a subject, and converts the radiation into radiation image information, and a radiation detection device controller that controls driving of at least the radiation detection device, further comprising:

a sensor for sensing that the casing has been lifted;

a power supply controller for supplying power at least to the radiation detection device controller based on a detection signal, which indicates that the casing has been lifted, from the sensor;

a discriminating unit for discriminating whether the radiation detection apparatus has transitioned to an image capturing capable mode based on the power supply by the power supply controller; and

a warning signal output unit for outputting a warning signal, for issuing a warning in the event that the radiation detection apparatus cannot transition to the image capturing capable mode.

2. The radiation detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a display unit provided on the casing; and

a display controller for performing display of a warning on the display unit in the event that the radiation detection apparatus cannot transition to the image capturing capable mode.

3. The radiation detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a prohibition signal output unit which outputs an exposure prohibition signal for prohibiting output of the radiation from the radiation source in the event that the radiation detection apparatus cannot transition to the image capturing capable mode.

4. A radiation detection apparatus including a casing, radiation detection device accommodated inside the casing, which detects radiation emitted from a radiation source and having passed through a subject, and converts the radiation into radiation image information, and a radiation detection device controller that controls driving of at least the radiation detection device, further comprising:

a sensor for sensing that the casing has been lifted;

a power supply controller for supplying power at least to the radiation detection device controller based on a detection signal, which indicates that the casing has been lifted, from the sensor;

a discriminating unit for discriminating whether the radiation detection apparatus has transitioned to an image capturing capable mode based on the power supply by the power supply controller; and

a normal operation signal output unit for outputting a normal operation signal indicating that the radiation detection apparatus has transitioned to the image capturing capable mode when the radiation detection apparatus has transitioned to the image capturing capable mode.

5. The radiation detection apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:

a display unit provided on the casing; and

a display controller for performing display of a warning on the display unit in the case that the normal operation signal has not been output from the normal operation signal output unit even after a predetermined time period has elapsed from the output of the detection signal from the sensor.

6. The radiation detection apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a prohibition signal output unit which outputs an exposure prohibition signal for prohibiting output of the radiation from the radiation source in the case that the normal operation signal has not been output from the normal operation signal output unit even after a predetermined time period has elapsed from the output of the detection signal from the sensor.

7. A radiation image capturing system, comprising:

a radiation detection apparatus including a casing, a radiation detection device accommodated inside the casing, which detects radiation emitted from a radiation source and having passed through a subject, and converts the radiation into radiation image information, a radiation detection device controller that controls driving of at least the radiation detection device, and a battery; and

a cradle for carrying out charging with respect to at least the battery by mounting the radiation detection apparatus into the cradle,

wherein the radiation detection apparatus comprises;

a sensor for sensing that the casing has been lifted;

a power supply controller for supplying power at least to the radiation detection device controller based on a detection signal, which indicates that the casing has been lifted, from the sensor;

a discriminating unit for discriminating whether the radiation detection apparatus has transitioned to an image capturing capable mode based on the power supply by the power supply controller; and

a warning signal output unit for outputting a warning signal, for issuing a warning in the event that the radiation detection apparatus cannot transition to the image capturing capable mode; and

wherein the cradle comprises;

a warning output unit for issuing a warning based on input of the warning signal output from the warning signal output unit of the radiation detection apparatus.

8. The radiation image capturing system according to claim 7, wherein the warning output unit comprises:

a display unit; and

a display controller for performing display of a warning on the display unit based on input of the warning signal.

9. The radiation image capturing system according to claim 7, wherein the warning output unit comprises:

an audio output unit;

an audio output controller for controlling an audio output of a warning through the audio output unit based on input of the warning signal.

10. The radiation image capturing system according to claim 7, wherein the cradle comprises a prohibition signal output unit which outputs an exposure prohibition signal for prohibiting output of the radiation from the radiation source based on input of the warning signal.

11. A radiation image capturing system, comprising:

a radiation detection apparatus including a casing, a radiation detection device accommodated inside the casing, which detects radiation emitted from a radiation source and having passed through a subject, and converts the radiation into radiation image information, a radiation detection device controller that controls driving of at least the radiation detection device, and a battery; and

a cradle for carrying out charging with respect to at least the battery by mounting the radiation detection apparatus into the cradle,

wherein the radiation detection apparatus comprises;

a sensor for sensing that the casing has been lifted;

a power supply controller for supplying power at least to the radiation detection device controller based on a detection signal, which indicates that the casing has been lifted, from the sensor;

a discriminating unit for discriminating whether the radiation detection apparatus has transitioned to an image capturing capable mode based on the power supply by the power supply controller; and

a normal operation signal output unit for outputting a normal operation signal indicating that the radiation detection apparatus has transitioned to the image capturing capable mode when the radiation detection apparatus has transitioned to the image capturing capable mode; and

wherein the cradle comprises;

a warning output unit for issuing a warning in the case that the normal operation signal has not been input from the normal operation signal output unit even after a predetermined time period has elapsed from the output of the detection signal from the sensor.

12. The radiation image capturing system according to claim 11, wherein the warning output unit comprises:

a display unit; and

a display controller for performing display of a warning on the display unit.

13. The radiation image capturing system according to claim 11, wherein the warning output unit comprises:

an audio output unit; and

an audio output controller for controlling an audio output of a warning through the audio output unit.

14. The radiation image capturing system according to claim 11, wherein the cradle comprises a prohibition signal output unit which outputs an exposure prohibition signal for prohibiting output of the radiation from the radiation source in the case that the normal operation signal has not been input from the normal operation signal output unit even after a predetermined time period has elapsed from the output of the detection signal from the sensor.

15. A radiation image capturing system, comprising:

a radiation detection apparatus including a casing, and a radiation detection device accommodated inside the casing, which detects radiation having passed through a subject, and converts the radiation into radiation image information, and a radiation detection device controller that controls driving of at least the radiation detection device;

an image capturing apparatus for irradiating the subject with radiation; and

a controller for controlling at least the image capturing apparatus by carrying out exchange of information with the radiation detection apparatus,

wherein the radiation detection apparatus comprises;

a sensor for sensing that the casing has been lifted;

a power supply controller for supplying power at least to the radiation detection device controller based on a detection signal, which indicates that the casing has been lifted, from the sensor;

a discriminating unit for discriminating whether the radiation detection apparatus has transitioned to an image capturing capable mode based on the power supply by the power supply controller; and

a warning signal output unit for outputting a warning signal, for issuing a warning in the event that the radiation detection apparatus cannot transition to the image capturing capable mode; and

wherein the controller comprises;

a warning output unit for issuing a warning based on input of the warning signal output from the warning signal output unit of the radiation detection apparatus.

16. The radiation image capturing system according to claim 15, wherein the warning output unit comprises:

a display unit; and

a display controller for performing display of a warning on the display unit of the controller based on input of the warning signal.

17. The radiation image capturing system according to claim 15, wherein the warning output unit comprises:

an audio output unit;

an audio output controller for controlling an audio output of a warning through the audio output unit based on input of the warning signal.

18. The radiation image capturing system according to claim 15, wherein the radiation detection apparatus further comprises:

a prohibition signal output unit which outputs an exposure prohibition signal for prohibiting output of the radiation from the radiation source in the event that the radiation detection apparatus cannot transition to the image capturing capable mode; and

wherein the controller further comprises;

an invalidation signal output unit for outputting an invalidation signal for invalidating an image capturing instruction with respect to the image capturing apparatus, based on input of the exposure prohibition signal.

19. A radiation image capturing system, comprising:

a radiation detection apparatus including a casing, a radiation detection device accommodated inside the casing, which detects radiation having passed through a subject, and converts the radiation into radiation image information, and a radiation detection device controller that controls driving of at least the radiation detection device;

an image capturing apparatus for irradiating the subject with radiation; and

a controller for controlling at least the image capturing apparatus by carrying out exchange of information with the radiation detection apparatus,

wherein the radiation detection apparatus comprises;

a sensor for sensing that the casing has been lifted;

a power supply controller for supplying power at least to the radiation detection device controller based on a detection signal, which indicates that the casing has been lifted, from the sensor;

a discriminating unit for discriminating whether the radiation detection apparatus has transitioned to an image capturing capable mode based on the power supply by the power supply controller; and

a normal operation signal output unit for outputting a normal operation signal indicating that the radiation detection apparatus has transitioned to the image capturing capable mode, when the radiation detection apparatus has transitioned to the image capturing capable mode; and

wherein the controller comprises;

a warning output unit for issuing a warning in the case that the normal operation signal has not been input from the normal operation signal output unit even after a predetermined time period has elapsed from the output of the detection signal from the sensor.

20. The radiation image capturing system according to claim 19, wherein the warning output unit comprises:

a display unit; and

a display controller for performing display of a warning on the display unit.

21. The radiation image capturing system according to claim 19, wherein the warning output unit comprises:

an audio output unit; and

an audio output controller for controlling an audio output of a warning through the audio output unit.

22. The radiation image capturing system according to claim 19, wherein the radiation detection apparatus further comprises:

a prohibition signal output unit which outputs an exposure prohibition signal or prohibiting output of the radiation from the radiation source, in the case that the normal operation signal has not been output from the normal operation signal output unit even after a predetermined time period has elapsed from the output of the detection signal from the sensor; and

wherein the controller further comprises;

an invalidation signal output unit for outputting an invalidation signal for invalidating an image capturing instruction with respect to the image capturing apparatus, based on input of the exposure prohibition signal.