Radiographic image capture system and method

• US 8,748,834 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2011
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Enomoto, Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jo, Taeho
• Application Number:
  US13/137,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20120049080A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 250/370.08, 250/370.09
• US Class Current: 250/370.08
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4233 using matrix detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4266 characterised by using a plurality of detector units A61B6/4014 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4283 characterised by a detector unit being housed in a cassette
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4494 Means for identifying the diagnostic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5241 combining overlapping images of the same imaging modality, e.g. by stitching
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 42/02 using X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/30 for generating image signals from X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/41 Extracting pixel data from a plurality of image sensors simultaneously picking up an image, e.g. for increasing the field of view by combining the outputs of a plurality of sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/32 Transforming X-rays cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from X-rays H04N23/30; circuitry of SSIS for transforming X-rays into image signals H04N25/30

Abstract

A radiographic image capture system includes: a radiographic image capture section, an output section and a generation section. The radiographic image capture section has plural radiographic imaging devices are placed adjacent to each other in a predetermined direction. Each of the radiographic imaging devices independently performs an imaging action, a preparatory action that is performed before the imaging action, and a transition action in which the radiographic imaging device transitions, in response to a transition command, from a first state in which the radiographic imaging device performs the preparatory action to a second state in which the radiographic imaging device performs the imaging action. The output section outputs the transition command to the plurality of radiographic imaging devices when imaging condition data has been input. The generation section combines image data acquired by the radiographic imaging devices and generates elongated image data representing an elongated radiographic image.

Claims

1. A radiographic image capture system comprising:

a radiographic image capture section in which a plurality of radiographic imaging devices are placed adjacent to each other in a predetermined direction, with each of the radiographic imaging devices independently performing an imaging action in which the radiographic imaging device detects radiation that has been applied from a radiation source and has passed through a subject to acquire image data representing a radiographic image of the subject, a preparatory action that is performed before the imaging action, and a transition action in which the radiographic imaging device transitions, in response to a transition command, from a first state in which the radiographic imaging device performs the preparatory action to a second state in which the radiographic imaging device performs the imaging action;

an output section that outputs the transition command to the plurality of radiographic imaging devices in a case in which imaging condition data has been input;

a generation section that combines image data acquired by each of the radiographic imaging devices transitioned to the second state by the transition command, to generate elongated image data representing an elongated radiographic image;

an acquisition section that acquires correction image data as a result of imaging being performed by the radiographic imaging devices in a state in which the radiation from the radiation source is not made incident thereon; and

a correction section that corrects the image data or the elongated image data using the correction image data,

wherein the correction image data is acquired each time before a plurality of sets of radiographic image data are acquired by the plurality of radiographic imaging devices, and the correction image data is used for offset correction.

2. The radiographic image capture system according to claim 1, wherein the preparatory action comprises repeatedly performing, until the transition command is input, a reset action in which electric charges stored in the radiographic imaging devices are discharged.

3. The radiographic image capture system according to claim 1, wherein the radiographic imaging devices are portable radiographic imaging devices.

4. The radiographic image capture system according to claim 1, wherein the correction image data is acquired during an electric charge storage period that is the same as an electric charge storage period for acquiring the plurality of sets of radiographic image data.

5. A radiographic image capture method comprising:

providing a plurality of radiographic imaging devices in a state in which the radiographic imaging devices are placed adjacent to each other in a predetermined direction, with each of the radiographic imaging devices independently performing an imaging action in which the radiographic imaging device detects radiation that has been applied from a radiation source and has passed through a subject to acquire image data representing a radiographic image of the subject, a preparatory action that is performed before the imaging action, and a transition action in which the radiographic imaging device transitions, in response to a transition command, from a first state in which the radiographic imaging device performs the preparatory action to a second state in which the radiographic imaging device performs the imaging action;

outputting the transition command to the plurality of radiographic imaging devices in a case in which imaging condition data has been input;

combining image data acquired by each of the radiographic imaging devices transitioned to the second state by the transition command to generate elongated image data representing an elongated radiographic image;

acquiring correction image data as a result of imaging being performed by the radiographic imaging devices in a state in which the radiation from the radiation source is not made incident thereon; and

correcting the image data or the elongated image data using the correction image data,

wherein the correction image data is acquired each time before a plurality of sets of radiographic image data are acquired by the plurality of radiographic imaging devices, and the correction image data is used for offset correction.

6. The radiographic image capture method according to claim 5, wherein the preparatory action comprises repeatedly performing, until the transition command is input, a reset action in which electric charges stored in the radiographic imaging devices are discharged.

7. The radiographic image capture method according to claim 5, wherein the radiographic imaging devices are portable radiographic imaging devices.

8. The radiographic image capture method according to claim 5, wherein the correction image data is acquired during an electric charge storage period that is the same as an electric charge storage period for acquiring the plurality of sets of radiographic image data.